A Rift In The Cloud 

A Novel. 


Written by one who sees only with the eyes of the mind 
/ 


Pablished to aid the Colombia Polytechnic Institute for 
the Blind, of Washington, D. C., in its endeavor to 
make glad and useful the lives of the blind throughout 
our land. 


Copyrighted by Frank E. CIcavcIand, 
Angust 3tf 1904* 


PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE BY THE 

COLUMBIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND 
J808 H Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. 




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A RIFT IN THE CLOUD, 


' CHAPTER I. 

Archibald Crawford, after thirty years of successful practice 
at the Elmdale County bar and twenty years on the bench, is resid- 
ing comfortably at the old homestead, which has descended from 
father to son since Middlebrook was a colony. He had only made 
occasional visits to the home of his boyhood for more than forty 
years, but after the death of his wife and the relinquishment of his 
duties as a judge of the Supreme Court and the establishment of 
his son Edward as junior partner in the law firm of Crawford & 
Crawford, he had carried into effect a resolution which he had made 
years before, to return to his old place and make his home with a 
widowed daughter, who with Edward, were the only survivors of a 
family of six children. It 'was a noble old mansion on the left 
bank of the Massasoit, near its mouth, at an elevation sufficient to 
catch the breeze which never failed to accompany the incoming 
tide. A grove of maples sheltered it from the wintry blasts of 
northerly and easterly gales, and a gradually sloping, well kept lawn, 
with a gravel walk in the centre, terminated at a boat house and 
dock at the riverside. A broad piazza with great round wooden 
columns supporting its roof, afforded a most delightful resting 
place for the old judge, who could be seen every afternoon seated 
in a great arm-chair smoking his favorite Meerschaum. 

He was thus seated, when a plainly but neatly dressed matronly 
looking lady, about forty years of age, appears in the doorway and 
informs him that a gentleman is in the library who wishes to talk 
with him. 

As Judge Crawford entered his library, I, Jeremiah Bruce, 
presented my card, and was cordially greeted by the old gentle- 
man, who, after bidding me to be seated, looked inquiringly into my 
face as though expecting to place me as one of the numerous men 
whom he, during the many years he had spent in public life, had 
met. I, in turn, looked carefully into the face of a kind-hearted, 
benevolent man, and detected, as I beleived, an amount of reserve 


2 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


strength which encouraged me to go on with the errand that had 
brought me to his home. 

Crawford,” I began, “Though this is the first time I 
have met you I feel confident that you are a man who can yet man- 
fully face a great calamity.” As I spoke these words the lady who 
had showm me into the library again entered the room. With 
alarm and wonder showing on her face she came forward, and the 
Judge, with a voice steady but full of feeling, said, “Permit me to 
introduce my daughter. Dr. Bruce, whatever concerns me concerns 
her, and you need not fear to speak out plainly to us both, for 
already I anticipate that the calamity you speak of concerns my 
son. His failure to write jne as usual has already made us both 
quite anxious and the distress in your face shows me that he must 
be either very ill, or perhaps dead.” 

“Surely not that!” exclaimed his daughter, “but do, sir, tell 
us at once.” 

“Your son is not dead. Judge Crawford, but you are quite 
right in your supposition that my errand here relates to him. 
Even now he is waiting in a neighbor’s house near by, to be sum- 
moned by me. No, he is not dead; but he is the bravest, the most 
considerate of men, and yet the most complete master of himself 
that I have ever chanced to meet, and I will confess that, much as 
I dreaded this interview, I believed that I should find the father 
of such a son ready to stand up under a blow which must come, 
whether I, or someone else should be the bearer of the news.” 

“ Hesitate no longer. Doctor. If my son is alive and at hand, 
be the misfortune that has befallen him what it may, he will find 
his old father ready to help him to bear it and a sister strong enough 
to withstand the worst.” 

I then related what I had witnessed at the Gleefort station and 
declared that the unhesitating bravery displayed by his son in 
saving the little daughter of John Fairchild from being crushed 
and mangled under the wheels of a locomotive had cost the young 
man his sight. “Yes, Judge, it is indeed a great debt that the 
father and mother of little Marie Fairchild owe to your son, one 
that it is impossible ever to pay. We expected to see the young 
man wither,, or perhaps lose his reason, when we were compelled 
to tell him that in the strength of his young manhood, with 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


3 


all the prospects of a brilliant career before him, he had offered up 
his sight in the performance of a brave and manly act. But aside 
from turning a little paler, he showed no sign of weakness and his 
first thought and constant anxiety since, has been how he should 
break the news to you and his sister. It was finally decided that 
I should accompany him to his home, but with great good fortune 
and forethought he decided to remain at a neighbor’s house while 
I should, in a measure, prepare you for the meeting. 

With a great compassion overspreading his face, but with a 
strong, firm voice and an elastic step. Judge Crawford started for 
the door, exclaiming, “Forgive me. Doctor, but I must go and 
fetch my boy! Come, Mary, we will go together, and Edward 
shall know from us both that we are proud of his brave action and 
the manly spirit he shows. Yes, daughter, this is a calamity, but 
there are others far worse,” and with these words he hurried away 
accompanied by Mrs. Eggleston. 

I remained in the library awaiting their return, which was not 
long delayed, and when they re-entered the house, the Judge was 
talking in a cheery and light-hearted voice to his son of the happen- 
ings in his absence, although I knew that the bitterest pangs his 
heart had ever known were being endured. I could stand it no 
longer. Bidding them a hasty farewell, and receiving the grateful 
thanks of father and son, I walked quickly away. 

John Fairchild was a railroad magnate, with all that that term 
implies. He belonged to the school of humanitarians, who be- 
lieve in the survival of the fittest. To more than two thousand 
men, his word was law. The great railroad system, of which he was 
president, was only a monster machine. Each man under him 
was but a piece of mechanism belonging to that machine, and he 
the master machinist. He had the reputation of being a hard and 
exacting master. Beginning his career as water carrier and news- 
boy, on one of the small provincial railroads, he had climbed slowly 
but surely to his present position, by making himself a necessity 
in every station he filled. He was known to his employees as the 
“old man.” They honored and feared him. Every one knew him 
to be a man of his word. No piece of the great mechanism ever 
failed in the performance of duty but once. The penalty of failure 
was always dismissal, and who shall say that the trust imposed in 


4 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


his management, by the great traveling public, did not demand 
that he should be a man of iron. The stockholders could point 
with pride to the fact that accidents imperiling human life were 
rare indeed, and that the quarterly dividend of 2 1-2 per cent came 
as regularly as the flowing and ebbing of the tide. 

In his family, however, he was a kind-hearted and considerate 
father, and little Marie was the idol of his heart. 

When he was informed that her life had been saved at so great 
a cost to the brilliant young lawyer, on whose shoulders had fallen 
the mantle of an honored and tried public servant, he did not under- 
value that loss, and when Edward Crawford felt the pressure of the 
hand, he did not need to be told, that so far as it would lie in the 
power of John Fairchild to make reparation, it would be done, but 
he was equally sure that he had only performed a part which was 
demanded of him, and the great railroad magnate was conscious 
that whatever he might have it in his heart to do for this young 
man, to in some measure discharge the great obligation he was under 
to him, there must be no thought of anything more than a sincere 
expression of his undying gratitude. Nevertheless, the man of 
iron resolved that it should be the study of his life to make repara- 
tion to Edward Crawford for the loss of his sight. 

When I returned, after safely conducting my charge to the 
home of his father, I found John Fairchild awaiting me in his 
library. Grasping me by the hand, he looked into my face with 
an expression on his own, which denoted the feeling that stirred 
his heart to its very depths, and when I gave him a faithful account 
of the meeting of father and son, the tears that stood in his eyes 
showed to what extent a great nature could sympathize with 
the anguish of that father. 

His first words were, “I must meet Judge Crawford, and you. 
Dr. Briice, must help me solve the greatest problem of my life. Let 
us work together and not stop until we have found a way to let the 
sunlight through the dark cloud that overwhelms this young friend 
of ours, for bravely as he bore up under the terrible blow, I could 
not fail to see despair plainly written in his face when he left us.’’ 

For the next few moments neither of us spoke. Then spring- 
ing up as though a new thought had suddenly taken possession of 
him, he walked quickly to the telephone, and inquired of his secre- 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


5 


tary if Griggs was in the office. Evidently receiving a reply in 
the affirmative, he said, “Send him to me at once.” Then taking 
my arm we walked into the dining-room, he explaining to me on 
the way that Griggs was an alert, companionable young man, in 
the employ of the company, in whom he had for some time been 
interested. The dinner hour passed almost in silence. In fact 
there seemed to be a kind of funerial atmosphere about the place. 
Even the bright, sunny face of little Marie was rather more grave 
than usual. Looking up to her mama she said, “Mama, dear, I 
have been playing that I was blind, this morning, just to see how it 
would seem, and oh! mama, I think it is dreadful that poor Mr. 
Crawford is never, never, never going to see any more.” 

“Yes, my darling,” said Mrs. Fairchild, “it is very sad, but 
you and I will go to see him often, and it may be we shall be able 
to make him happy sometime.” 

“That is a duty that rests with us all, my dear,” said Mr. 
Fairchild. When we returned to the library Mr. Griggs was await- 
ing us. 

“Mr. Griggs,” said John Fairchild, “you are aware of the great 
loss that has befallen the young man who rescued my daughter 
from what would have been certain death, at a cost to him of that 
which we all prize next to life itself.” 

“Yes, sir; you refer to the young lawyer, Mr. Crawford. I 
read a full account of it in the American.'' 

“Well, sir; Edward Crawford has placed me under a debt of 
gratitude that money can never repay, and any attempt on my 
part to reward him for his noble and manly action, would, with 
commendable pride, be resented by both Judge Crawford and his 
son. Nevertheless, it is my purpose and intention to do all that 
lies in my power to discharge in some measure this obligation. My 
reason for summoning you, is to entrust you with a commission, to 
place yourself in a situation to give me the fullest information con- 
cerning him, in order that I, ‘without his knowledge, may in some 
way lighten his burden and advance his prospects. I am confident 
he has too much spirit to wholly abandon hope, and I wish to be 
in a position to second any effort he may make, in any direction, 
to employ his talents. He lost his sight in my service, and if it is 
possible for you to put j^ourself where you can make your eyes 


6 


A RIFT IN THE CXOUD 


serve him, you will leave the company’s employ and enter mine. 
I shall leave it to you to make your own plans for carrying out 
my wishes, and I assure you that any course you may think best 
to pursue, must be adopted by you without regard to any con- 
sideration of expense or outlay. You will make your plans to 
report to me as often as you think it necessary to keep me fully 
informed.” 

“ I am grateful to you, Mr. Fairchild, that you deem me worthy 
to undertake this commission,” replied Mr. Griggs, ‘‘and I need 
not say that I shall do my best.” 

After Mr. Griggs had retired from the library, John Fairchild, 
turning to me said, ‘‘ doctor, I am indebted to you, not only for 
your professional seryices, but for your friendship, and I again wish 
to express my desire that you will be with us, and one of us, in this 
endeavor.” 

Little Marie and her mama entering the librarj^ at this time, I 
bade them adieu, assuring Mr. Fairchild of my earnest sympathy 
and co-operation, so far as I could be of any service. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


7 


CHAPTER II. 

Two weeks had passed since the meeting of father and son 
after the accident , but during that time hardly a word had been 
exchanged between them concerning it. The Judge had never 
once reverted in his conversation with his son to his loss of sight, 
having determined in his own mind that Edward should be the 
first to refer to it. Many times indeed, his sister, finding him seated 
alone in the old vine-covered summer-house, had quietly taken 
her seat by his side, and aside from the exchange of greeting of “Is 
that you ,Mary,“ an hour would pass without another word being 
spoken. The far-away look on the face of the young man im- 
pressed his sister that no words of hers would be of any avail. She 
knew her brother and had the fullest confidence that when the 
battle had been fought out he would once more be master of the 
situation, and she was content to wait, giving him such support as 
she could by that sympathy which one heart is capable of extend- 
ing to another, though the silence be broken only by the songs of 
nature. 

It was during an hour like the one just described, that Mrs. 
Fairchild and little Marie came upon Edward and his sister. On 
a sign from the former, Mary joined her, and little Marie glided 
into the summer-house, and springing upon Edward’s knee and 
putting both arms around his neck, exclaimed, “Mama and I have 
come to take you away with us for a sail on papa’s yacht. Don’t 
you say no! cause I want you to come. I am going to love you so 
much. Fannie Jacobs has a nice big brother, just like you, and 
mama said maybe you’d let me be your little sister, when I told 
her how much I loved you for pulling me away from those horrible 
old steam cars that frightened me so. See my pretty ring, Mr. 
Edward? Papa gave it to me my last birthday. Oh! I forgot: 
you can’t see it, can you?” and Edward heard the little voice quiver 
and felt tears upon her cheek as it was pressed against his^ and her 
eoft little arms tightened about his neck. 


8 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


Dear little Marie,” said he, I shall love to have such a sweet, 
loving little girl for a sister, but your big brother wants you to stop 
crying, if you want him to go with you so much. Come, you show me 
to the yacht,” saying which, Edward put her down to the ground 
and let her guide him along the gravel path to the dock, where a 
beautiful little steam yacht was puffing and churning, with the 
impatience of a firey steed to be off. 

The Judge, Mrs. Fairchild and Mary were already on board, 
and all were overjoyed to see the smile of pleasure on Edward’s 
face, as he and his little guide approached the dock. After an ex- 
change of greeting with Mrs. Fairchild, Edward was led to a seat on 
the forward deck, and the ” Gypsy” in a short time was dancing 
over the waves of the Sound. 

The day following the yachting excursion, Edward took his 
usual walk in the garden, for he had already learned to go about, 
making use of a little switch cane to keep the line of the sharp cut 
turf, which separated the gravel walk from the vegetable beds. The 
hum of bees told him that he was approaching the bee-sheds which 
stood at the foot of the garden path, where about a dozen hives of 
these industrious little insects had been kept ever since he could 
remember. 

And now he recalled how many times, stretched upon the 
wooden bench that still held its place under the old apple tree 
near-by, he had watched and wondered if they would work so 
diligently if they knew they were storing away honey, the lion’s 
share of which was to be pilfered from their hives for the use of man. 

He recalled that in his college days he had read a sketch of 
the life of Francois Huber, a blind man who had become a celebrated 
naturalist by using the eyes of his wife and a faithful servant in 
making a study of the habits of bees and other insects, and adding 
to the world’s knowledge by publishing his observations. 

Following up the thought, which this recollection brought to 
his mind, he began to question whether the loss of sight, after all, 
closed every avenue to a useful and profitable existence. 

If it was possible for Huber to make himself famous by what 
he saw through the eyes of others, which they did not see, was 
there not left to him some chance to do likewise ? Surely the eyes 
of the little kitten which he heard jumping about him, reflected 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


9 


the images of what it saw upon the brain as perfectly as did the 
eyes of a human being. 

The eyes, then, were only a medium of communication, the 
servants, as it were, of a king enthroned in the palace of the mind. 
Bar the grand avenue along which these servants approach the throne 
with their intelligence, and you but bring into more active service 
those servants not less faithful, whose avenues of approach to the 
palace, though hitherto but little used, do now in their turn vie 
with each other to be worthy to serve the king. 

The real work-shop after all was the brain, where the powers 
of the mind did the work. Could he then not make use of the eyes 
of others, as men use spectacles, and through his remaining senses 
receive intelligence that should furnish material to be hammered, 
moulded and formed, by the powers of the mind, until it should 
increase in value ten, yea, a hundred fold? 

If Huber could give the world such valuable information 
concerning the lives, habits and relations of insects, why did not 
his chosen profession, which dealt with the lives and social relations 
of men, women and children, offer even a ranch higher field of use- 
fulness? Had he not already stored away much knowledge that 
was intended to fit him to serve his fellow man in solving problems 
of human rights and wrongs? Had he not his hearing left with 
which to listen to the relation of evidence, his reason, judgment 
and understnading, to weigh and consider? Was not the highest 
ideal of justice represented by a goddess with bandaged eyes? 
Had he not his voice to expound, define and urge conviction upon 
others ? 

Why did men seek the council of those learned in the law? 
Surely not to see for them with the natural eye. If not, then 
must it not be to avail themselves of those higher powers of per- 
ception, of a trained and disciplined mind, equipped with super- 
ior knowledge, right judgment, gained from experience in the 
affairs of men; a mind skilled like the cunning hand of the 
swordsman, to uphold the right, protect the weak, and punish the 
guilty ? 

Thrilled with this thought, the pulse of the young man began 
once more to beat. The dark impenetrable cloud, which up to this 
time had enveloped him, melted away. The world once more took 


10 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


on the aspect of life and motion, and he again felt himself in it and 
of it. His heart grew lighter with every step as he took his way 
back to the house. 

As he closed the garden gate behind him, his ear caught a 
sound from the house which arrested his attention. It was the 
voice of a woman, sobbing as though her heart would break. Quick- 
ening his steps, he turned the angle of the house leading to the 
front porch and stopped, for the woman was now interjecting 
words in a broken voice, which he recognized as that of an old 
family Servant who had nursed'and cared for him when a boy, and 
of whom he had always been very fond. It had been some time 
since he had seen Aunt Margaret, as he called her. Twenty years 
before she had married Jerry Nolan, the village blacksmith, who 
lived only long enough to see and love the chubby face of a hand- 
some little baby boy. ' 

On one occasion, when the happy pair had called at the house, 
he remembered that Jerry, with a merry laugh, had shown the 
little fellow to the Judge, saying as he did so, “here is the makings 
of another judge. It’s not much of a chance I’ve had myself, but 
God willing, this little chap shall have an education that will give 
him a chance to hold his head up with the best of them,” and the 
Judge had said, “that is the right spirit, Jerry. This is a country 
where the poor man’s boy may have as good an education as the 
richest in the land.” 

Not many days after this, the kick of a vicious horse which 
Jerry was shoeing, had laid the poor fellow up. The injury proved 
a serious one, and in less than a week Margaret had buried her 
husband, and had taken up her life work, which was to carry out 
the plans of Jerry respecting the future of the now fatherless boy. 

Although Margaret retained her humble home, she was often 
employed by her old mistress, and little Willie Nolan, although five 
years the junior of Edward, frequently became his play-fellow, 
and when Edward entered the Elmdale University, he had willingly 
and gladly assisted Margaret’s ambition by becoming the private 
tutor of her boy, and the day Edward was admitted to the bar, 
Willie Nolan passed the examination which made him a freshman 
at the University, 


A RIFT IN THE CXOUD 


U 

It had been a hard struggle for both the mother and son, but 
as Willie had been as anxious for an education as his mother was 
for him, working diligently during the vacations, and often doing 
extra work as a stenographer during term time he managed to get 
on. He had only made his mother a flying visit at the close of the 
spring term, making her heart glad with the intelligence that he 
had obtained a position as reporter on the ‘‘American,” a leading 
Elmdale daily. 

“Oh! Judge, Judge; if only Mr. Edward was not blind, poor 
man, I know he could save my boy. Oh! Jerry, my husband, it 
is God’s mercy that ye did not live to see this hour. My precious 
boy shut up in jail and charged with the awful crime of murder. 
Woe is me, woe is me!” 

Edward waited to listen no longer, but hurrying along as fast 
as he could towards the place from which the sobs were coming, 
called out, “What is this you are saying, Willie in jail — charged 
with murder? There must be some terrible mistake. I would 
stake my life, my dear, good soul, that your boy is as incapable of 
such a crime as my father or I would be .” 

“Ah! I knew you would say that, and if you only had your 
eyesight, I know my Willie would be saved. Poor dear man, 
surely I am forgetting all about your terrible misfbrtune on account 
of my own troubles. Please forgive me, Mr. Edward, I didri^t mean 
to hurt you.” 

“You didn’t hurt me. Aunt Margaret, and besides, I shall be 
able to do just as much for Willie as though I could see. It is only 
some terrible mistake of identity, or something of that sort. But 
how did you hear of it?” 

“Sit down, my boy, said the Judge, “and I will read you the 
letter which Aunt Margaret has received from Willie. I thirik 
she over estimates the danger, but, nevertheless, I should judge 
that there will be work for someone to do to clear up the mystery 
of the murder of Benj. Brockway, the editor of the ‘American.’ 
But here is the letter. 

Dearest Mother: I hesitate and tremble when I attempt to 
write and tell you what has happened to me, but as nothing can pre- 
vent your hearing about it, I want to be the first one to send you 
an account of my arrest and detention, under the charge of com- 


12 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 

mitting an awful crime. I need not tell you that I am innocent, 
mother dear, need I? Not if every one else believes me guilty. 

All I know is that Mr. Brockway asked me to do something 
which I could not do, and I told him so. He became very angry 
and called me the upstart son of a wash -woman. I retorted that 
I would rather be honest and the son of a wash -woman, than to 
engage in any rascally business like that which he had proposed. 
He struck me, mother, and I left the office, saying, as I did so, “you 
will rue the day you did that. It will be my turn next.’' Our 
quarrel had attracted the attention of several compositors, who 
must have heard my words as I left the office. 

Mother, he had dared to ask me to assist him in a scheme of 
blackmail. An article had been brought in for him to publish, 
charging a prominent and highly respected citizen of Elmdale with 
secretly supplying arms to the enemies of our country. Brockway 
had evidently taken me for a man without principle like himself, 
for he called me into his private office just as a dark visaged Span- 
iard was leaving it, and slapping me on the shoulder said, “Nolan, 
here is the chance of your life. You saw that fellow who just left 
here? Well it seems he has just had a quarrel with his brother, 
Ergonsorat, concerning a consignment of rifles for the Philippines. 

Here are the documents to prove his brother’s and old 
man Winchell’s complicity in the affair. You know the old man 
is rich and will come down handsomely. I want you to contrive 
to see him and tell him that the brother of Ergonsorat has placed 
these documents in your hands, to give to me, for publication, 
and that if he will lay down twenty thousand dollars you will turn 
them over to him, otherwise you will give them to me. 

You see, mother, this cowardly villan wanted me to become 
a blackmailer, and he offered me five thousand dollars, out of the 
twenty thousand that -I should get, and when he found out that he 
had counted on the wrong man, he was so enraged that he lost all 
control of himself. 

My threats as I left the office simply referred to the resolution 
which I had made to expose him, but when I reached the street, 
I reflected that I had no proof to sustain my story ; he could laugh 
at me and defy me, so I concluded to say nothing about it, at least 
until I had reached home, and had a chance to talk it over with 
Judge Crawford. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


is 


Well, mother dear, I had lost my position, and you know 
how much I counted on the money I should earn this vacation 
to carry me through next winter. I have not been ignorant that 
you have been over-taxing yourself to help me get through college, 
and I had determined not to take another penny from you if I 
could possibly help it. Well, I went to my room to sit down and 
think it over. I had brought a copy of the “American'' home 
with me, and glancing over the advertisements I saw that Brun- 
son, the livery man, had advertised for a cab-driver. I deter- 
mined to apply immediately for the situation, as I felt that I had 
no time to lose waiting for anything better, besides, I knew that 
a cab-driver's wages would be at least $2 per day, and this was 
more than I was getting from Brockway; but as I was going down 
the stairs, a foolish pride took possession of me, and I thought of 
the sneers that I knew I should have to bear when I went back to 
college, if certain boys found it out, and so I was weak enough, 
dear mother, to disguise myself with a false beard when I applied 
for the situation. One of the cab stands is just opposite the office 
of the American, and Mr. Brunson assigned me to that stand. 

Two days ago my cab was hailed by Brockway, and he kept 
me driving around the city for more than an hour, and finally dis- 
missed me and entered a cigar store near the corner of Grant street 
and Grand Avenue. I had not driven more than half a block, 
when a lady came out of a store and bade me wait for her a few 
minutes. Returning shortly, she stood looking down the street, 
and turning to look in the same direction I plainly saw Brockway 
and a stranger come out of the cigar store, cross the street, and 
enter a second-hand piano store. 

The lady, whom I remember was very beautiful, and dressed 
in black, looked to me like a Spanish or Italian woman, then 
entered my cab, and bade me drive to the Elmdale railroad station, 
which I did. As she paid me the cab fare I noticed that she wore 
diamond ear-rings and had several diamond rings upon her un- 
gloved hand. She also had a fine gold chain around her neck, to 
which was attached a gold cross studded with diamonds. She 
spoke with quite a foreign accent, but I could not tell whether she 
was Spanish or Italian. 


14 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


I drove back to my stand, got off the cab, and seeing that the 
cab-door was not securely fastened, I stepped up to close it. I 
noticed something on the floor of the cab, which proved to be a 
small light gray purse with the initials V. T. burnt on it. Upon 
examining it I found that it only contained a few words on a slip 
of paper in some foreign tongue. 

Yesterday morning, as I took my place at the cab-stand I 
was arrested and taken to the police station, where I learned of 
the disappearance of Brockway and the finding of his body at the 
foot of West Rock, with his features so mutiliated as to be un- 
recognizable, the body only being identified by the clothing found 
upon it. 

After my arrest, it was, of course, discovered that I wore a 
false beard, and when I was recognized as a former employee of 
Brockway, and it came out that I had quarreled with, and threaten- 
ed him, and that he was last seen in my company, I was told I 
would be held to await the action of the grand jury. The little 
purse I found has been taken from me and is I suppose, now in the 
possession of the prosecuting Attorney. 

Now dear mother I have written all these particulars to you, 
because I want you to take this letter to Judge Crawford, and do 
whatever he advises you to do. 

Poor Mr. Edward, how I sympathized with him when I heard 
he had lost his sight, I little thought then, that ere a month rolled 
round, I should be in a far worse plight. 

Do not despair, dear mother, for though matters look very dark 
for me now, I somehow feel that it will come out all right, after all. 

How sorry I am to be the cause of so much grief, to the dearest, 
most self-sacrificing mother in the world, and what makes me 
feel worse about it is,, that it has all been brought about by the 
foolish pride that induced me to put on that false beard, for if it 
had not been for that, Brockway, would have recognized me and 
hired some other cab. 

Your Affectionate son, — Willie. 

As the Judge finished reading the letter, he and Margaret 
Nolan looked inquiringly into the face of Edward which wore the 
aspect of deep thought, and anxiety. Gradually the expression 
became less anxious and finally one of hope, if not confidence, took 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


15 


its place. Turning to her he said, ’‘Be of good cheer, Aunt Mar- 
garet; I admit that Willie is in a pretty tight box, but his story has 
the stamp of truthfulness and the circumstances, after all, only 
make out, or rather, lay the foundations for a suspicion of guilt. 
In the excitement following the discovery of the tragedy, too much 
has been made of his quarrel with Brockway, and the disguise he 
wore when arrested. 

I am confident that we shall have him with us within the 
week. The real mystery about this is not who murdered Brockway, 
but whether he has been murdered at all. 

Tomorrow I will go to Elmdale, and have a talk with the prose- 
cuting attorney, and I shall be very much mistaken if I am not able 
to show him he has gotten hold of the wrong man. ” 

The look on the Judge’s face was not quite so confident,but 
Margaret seemed to catch an inspiration from Edward, and her 
exclamation of thanksgiving and joy , made it evident that the 
heavy burden which was crushing out her life had been partially 
rolled away. 

She had been accustomed to believe that everything which 
Edward undertook he would carry through successfully, and with a 
‘’God bless you, my boy,” she turned to go. A few moments 
later both the Judge and Edward heard her talking to Mary, in 
the kitchen in her old animated way. 

The Judge inquired if he did not think that he had promised 
Margaret too much when he said he would have him back within 
a week, but the heart of the old man had also been relieved of a 
heavy burden, for the dull far away look, had left the face of his 
son, and he almost welcomed a situation, which had such a mirac- 
ulous effect, in arousing the interest of his boy. 

He did not know that the battle had been fought out in the 
garden, and that a new sun had risen above the horizon, in the 
life of Edward Crawford, when he had turned his steps from the old 
bee-shed with the resolution to once more be a living factor in the 
worlds affairs. 

At the supper table that night, Edward’s animated conversa- 
tion on the various topics of the day, made the hearts of both 
father and sister bound for joy.. 

When the old Judge reached his room that night, he offered 
up a prayer of thanksgiving, with a grateful heart, for the change 
that had come over his boy. i 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


16 


CHAPTER III. 

When Edward retired to his room, it was not to sleep, for 
his mind was too much occupied. Every word of William Nolan’s 
letter came as clearly and distinctly before him, as though he had 
it in his hand, and was reading it as he might have done had he 
had his sight. Carefully going over each detail, he studied the 
situation from every stand-point which his fertile imagination could 
conjure up. Now his brow would knit, and a puzzled expression 
come over his face. 

At regular intervals, the old clock in the hall, which reached 
from the ceiling to the floor, tolled the hours as they passed, but 
still his motionless figure held its place in his favorite chair by 
the window. 

Finally his face lighted up, with a satisfied smile, and spring- 
ing from the chair, Edward quickly disrobed, and a few minutes 
later was sleeping as restfully as a child. Just as the sun began to 
dispel the darkness of the night, he suddenly awakened, as though 
a bugle call had summoned him to the performance of a duty. 
For a few minutes he lay wondering if it were yet morning. 

The question was soon answered by the chirping of a bird, 
just outside his window, and another in a tree near by, and another 
and another, until every tree about the old house became vocal, 
and a grand chorus of the sweetest music he had ever listened to 
came from the throats of a myriad of feathered songsters, herald- 
ing the dawn. 

Never had he been so impressed before, by the songs of birds; 
was this one of the compensations of the loss of sight ? Had he 
awakened in a new world, and was this the foretaste of some of its 
joys ? Surely never had the Grand Opera afforded him more delight. 
How petty seemed the stage, and all its trappings, when in his 
imagination, the curtain of night, rolled back, accompanied by a 
triumphant burst of song, revealing the rising sun, as he, in all his 
glory, mounted his throne, the monarch of the day. — But the . 
play was on, and he must act his part. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


17 


In a few minutes his whip cane was following the edge of the 
plank walk which led past the carriage house to the stable. He 
had always been very fond of horses, and when he threw open the 
stable door, it seemed like old times to be greeted by the welcome 
whinny of faithful old Jennie. She had been the family pet ever 
since he could remember. Going up to her he passed his hand over 
her smooth coat, and felt to see if her ears were thrown forward, 
as they were wont to be, when, in the old days, now so far behind 
him, he had entered her stall. 

Yes the same glad greeting awaited him, and patting her on 
the neck, he spoke to her in his old boyish fashion. “You want 
your breakfast old girl, don’t you, and you shall have it.^’ 

He was rather surprised to see how readily he could get about 
the bam. The oat-bin was just where he placed his hand to find 
it, and filling the measure with oats, he emptied them in the manger, 
and he listened with pleasure to the grunts of satisfaction and the 
tap, tap of Jennie’s foot on the stable floor, as she crunched the oats. 

For a few minutes he stood in the stable door, feeling the 
warmth of the sun’s rays, and listening to the various sounds of 
life in the barn-yard. 

He took a few steps over to the bars which shut in the cows 
for the night, and placing his arms on the top rail, noticed that 
they had stopped chewing their cuds at his approach, and he knew 
as well as if he could see, that their great mild eyes were looking 
up into his face. 

The buzzing sounds of the insects, the flicking of the cows’ 
tails, brushing the flies from their backs, the cluck, cluck and the 
scratch, scratch of the mother hen, the peeps of her little family, 
as she industriously uncovered the grubs for their morning meal, 
the boastful clacking of a hen joined by the cock, and the quack 
quack of the ducks, were all sounds reproducing a scene which 
brought with it a feeling at once restful and satisfying. 

Now the merry, joyous whistle of Dan, the man of all work 
about the place, smote upon his ear, and a moment later, Carlo 
came bounding forward, frisking about and leaping up, expressing, 
as only dogs can, his delight at once more seeing his old play- 
fellow. 


18 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


'‘Good morning, MavSter Edward,’' was the cheerful greeting 
from Dan, “seems to me you are up bright and early this morning. 
What’s afoot?” 

“Good morning Dan, I want to catch the seven o’clock train 
for Elmdale this morning. I have given Jennie her breakfast, and 
I want you to have her around at the door soon enough to get me 
to the station. I am going in to get my breakfast now, and shall 
be ready to start in half an hour.” 

He took out his watch, and touched the hands lightly with 
his thumbs, to ascertain the time, for he had already discovered 
that by removing the crystal, he could judge from the position of 
the hands, the time of day. 

“What time do you make it?” said Dan. 

“A quarter to six,” Edward answered promptly. 

“Begorra! ye’ve just hit the mark; who’d a thought it,” 
and Dan, with a look of wonder and admiration, turned to enter 
the stable. 

As Edward ascended the steps, the hearty good-morning of 
his father showed him that the cheerfulness in the tones of his 
voice was no longer forced, and the joy which swelled up in his 
heart, when he made, this discovery, completed the young man’s 
happiness. Life indeed was taking on a new aspect, and an hour 
and a quarter later, as the train sped on its way to the city, “ Rich- 
ard was himself again.” 

His father and sister had earnestly protested against his 
making the journey alone, but he would not hear of any other 
arrangement, assuring them that he should not attempt to go 
about the city unattended, and that he could easily get one of the 
brakemen on the train to put him in the hands of the station 
master, who would safely conduct him to a cab. Dan was to be 
at the station to meet him on his return, and though not without 
some misgivings, they had bid him God-speed. 

When the conductor came through the car, he agreed, in 
response to a request from Edward, to attend upon him personally, 
when the train should reach Elmdale, and his first care, when in 
the hands of the station-master, was to ascertain of the ticket 
agent if he could recall the be jeweled foreign lady, described by 
William Nolan, and was overjoyed to find that he did so. He 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


19 


even remembered that she had purchased a ticket for Gray Harbor. 

Edward then took^a cab giving directions to the cabman to 
drive him to the cigar store mentioned in Nolan's letter. 

He asked the cabman to describe the building on the opposite 
side of the street, which he did as follows: '‘Tis a brick, sur, wif 
foe stories whar de people lives up stairs, and dere am free stoes, 
one of which is a barber shop, an de udder two has got a big sign 
on over de doo, what says, Second-hand Pianos bought and sold." 

“Is that sign old, or a new one?" 

“Not bery old, sur; de paint am very bright. Have done driv 
by here a good many times an I’se mighty sure dat sign were not 
dere more an foe weeks, as I done remember dem stoes had to-let 
sign in de window, befoe dat time." 

“Very well, now drive me to the Boardman Building, on Crown 
street." 

“All right sur." 

And twenty minutes later, having dismissed the cab, he was 
in his office, which occupied the third floor of the building. It 
lacked a half hour of nine o'clock. 

Letting himself into his office, he went to the telephone, and 
called for the chief of police. While he stood there waiting to be 
answered, it occurred to him that in front of a telephone, his loss 
of sight certainly was no disadvantage. He had heard that the 
inventor of this instrument was seeking for a better method of 
communication with the deaf, after discovering that the sound of 
the human voice could, under proper conditions, be carried by an 
electric current and reproduced at a considerable distance from 
the speaker. He reflected that the deaf had profited little by the 
invention, but now for the first time he realized what it meant to 
the blind, for here he stood, in front of a little instrument which would 
enable him to communicate with the business world, as easily, and 
in all respects the same as though he could see. 

Presently the well remembered voice of the chief was heard. 

“Hello Chief, is that you?" 

“Well, Chief, can't you believe your own ears?" 


“So I have." 


20 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


^ :J: H« Hi 

‘‘Yes Chief, ready for any kind of business that turns up, 
Can’t you hear and understand me just as well as you could before 
you heard of my being blind?” 

“Well, run over a few minutes. I have a little quick work for 
you, that needs immediate attention.” 

“Hello! Central, hello! Give me the office of the jail.” 

} “That I can’t give you: don’t you know it?” 

“Well, give me the chief operator. Hello! Jenkins.” 

“Well, what of it old fellow; you don’t think I am a ghost, 
do you?” 

“So I am, but that don’t prevent my speaking over the tele- 
phone,. and hearing your reply, does it?” 

* * H: * 

“I want you to make an order for my benefit. Tell the hello 
girls, whenever I call for anybody without giving them the number, 
the rule is off in my case, because if I happen to be alone in my 
office I will not be able to look up the number for them.” 

“I want the office of the jailer Higgins.*’ 

“Hello Higgins, that jmu?” 

“Edward Crawford.” 

“Well he hasn’t gone daft, if he is old boy. Now listen. I’m 
in my office and you have my old pupil, Willie Nolan in custody. 
I want to have a word with him, and ask you as a personal favor 
to conduct him to the telephone.’ 

‘ ‘ Hello Willie, is that you ? ” 


RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


21 


“How are you feeling this morning?” 

“I thought I would let you know that I am here tending xo 
your affairs, and to say to you, if anybody calls to question you, 
you are to refer them to me, do you understand?” 

“One thing more; don’t let this frighten you. I know what I 
am talking about, when I say this, so rest easy my boy, until I 
see you.” 

“Good-bye.” 

Just at that moment. Chief Havelock came forward and grasped 
Edward by the hand. “Well, well, Edward, here you are back 
again in your old quarters. I knew you had the right stuff in you, 
but I thought you’d had a knock out blow for sure, when I heard 
you had gone blind.” 

“Well I thought so too. Chief, for a time, but you see it is the 
business of a lawyer, when he runs up against a snag, to work the 
thing out, and the more I thought of it, the more I could see 
no reason in my giving up, sitting down and folding my arms, 
and being cared for the rest of my life by others, and it finally dawned 
upon me that as long as I had not fitted myself to see for other 
people, with my eyes, and had fitted myself to see for other people 
with my brain, and that I still had my brain left, with several 
avenues of communication open, what was the use of my throwing 
up the sponge. You see, if I had been a coachman, an engineer, or a 
gunner on a frigate, I might have been compelled to give up beaten. 
But we haven’t time to spare to talk it over any longer just now, 
for I want you to go around with me to the District Attorney’s 
Office, and its almost nine now. 

By the way, I wonder if Coroner Brown has a telephone in 
his house. Perhaps I can catch him before he goes down town. 

“Hello Central! Has the Coroner a telephone at his house? 

Call him up for me please, will you? Is that you Coroner? 

Can you meet me at the District Attorney’s Office in twenty minutes? 
Very important. Has to do with the Brockway murder case. 
Stop on your way and bring the prosecuting attorney with you. 
I have a little peice of imfornation for you which I think you will 
consider right in point, and there is no tirne to be lost.” 


22 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER IV. 

Half an hour later, a conference was held at the District 
Attorney’s office, resulting in Edward being given carte blanche, the 
District Attorney, and the Coroner both agreeing that it had been 
demonstrated to their entire satisfaction that William Nolan was 
not in any way responsible for the death or disappearance of 
Brockway. 

Brockway was known to have lost the first joint of his index 
finger, on his left hand. The corpse with a mutilated face, dressed 
in his clothes, had no such deformity of the hand, but the Coroner 
had not made his discovery known, outside this conference, and 
upon Edward’s proposition, that everything proceed as though 
they were all pursuaded of Nolan’s guilt, so as to awaken no sus- 
picion on the part of the real culprit, or culprits, the conference 
came to an end, and an hour later a Revenue Cutter, lying at the 
Elmdale wharf, was steaming away towards Gray Harbor, with 
Chief Havelock and Edward Crawford on board. 

The District Attorney had in his possession telegrams from 
the proper authorities in Washington, commanding all vessels 
flying the United States flag to permit the District Attorney to 
examine their cargoes in the interest of justice. 

Just as the Revenue Cutter “Sprite” reached the mouth of 
Gray Harbor, a tramp steamer was seen in the offing on its way 
to sea. The Sprite immediately follow ed inhot pursuit, firing a 
signal for the tramp steamer to heave to, to which she paid no atten- 
tion. 

Now began a chase which tried the powers of the two steamers. 
It was soon apparent, however, that the Revenue Cutter was gain- 
ing slowly but surely, on the other. Meanwhile Crawford was 
receiving the congratulations of the District Attorney, and the 
officers on board the Sprite, for it was evident by the failure of the 
vessel they were pursuing to heave to when she was signalled to 
do so by the Revenue Cutter, that Edward had arrived at the right 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


23 


conclusion with respect to the character of that vessel, notwith- 
standing she had received her clearance papers from the proper 
authorities. The only question to be determined now, was 
whether this seeming tramp steamer carried too many guns for 
thie Revenue Cutter. Stowly but surely the distance between the 
two vessels diminished. 

The Commander and our friends, occupying a post of vantage 
kept watch of the Soreta, her name having been made out with the 
aid of the glasses. Suddenly the Revenue Cutter’s Commander 
exclaimed, “there’s trouble aboard of her, gentlemen,” and at the 
same instant the sound of the discharge of small arms on board the 
fleeing vessel was distinctly heard. 

“Let her have it, Baker,” said the Commander, and a moment 
later the guns of the Revenue Cutter were in action. The order was 
given to disable the fugutive, sparing as much as possible the lives 
of those on board. It was now as clear as day that there were two 
factions on board of her, each striving for the mastery, from which 
Captain Sparks argued that the regularly constituted crew of the 
S or eta had, until the outbreak of hostilities, either been overawed 
or overcome by the leader of the other faction and his followers. 

Five minutes after the Sprite opened Are on the S or eta her 
engine ceased to work. A signal of surrender was run up, and a 
few minutes later two of the boats of the Soreta were seen pulling 
away from her in opposite directions. At first it seemed probable 
that one of these boats must escape, for while the Sprite could leave 
the disabled tramp steamer until she was ready to take her in tow 
she could only pursue one of the small boats. 

Instantly Captain Sparks ordered an offlcer to man a small 
boat and start in pursuit of one, while he ran down the other. It 
was soon quite apparent that the Jackies, with their “long pull and 
strong pull, and pull all together, ’’would head off and capture the 
boat it was pursuing. 

As all eyes were fixed upon the two small boats, something 
occurred which brought a look of astonishment into every face, and 
exclamations to the lips of every on-looker, for a huge porpoise had 
risen to the surface, and was making straight for the Soreta's boat. 
For a moment the great fish disappeared from view, and an instant 
later the Soreta' s boat shot into the air and all its occupants w.ere 
thrown into the sea. 


24 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


Six out of the eight men were now seen swimming toward the 
boat sent out by the Sprite. The other two had disappeared be- 
neath the waves, as had also the porpoise. 

“That beats all I ever saw,'” said Captain Sparks, and while 
the Chief was explaining the occurance to Edward, the Sprite, leav- 
ing the swimmers to be picked up by the small boat, started in pur- 
suit of the other. Its occupants, seeing the fate of their leader’s 
boat, stopped rowing and began waving a white handkerchief in 
token of surrender. They were soon picked up by the Sprite, which 
a few minutes later was alongside the Soreta. 

Captain Conrad of the Soreta, who had sustained a severe 
wound, disabling his right arm, came forward to greet Captain 
Sparks, with such expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving and 
with such a frank, honest face that all on board the Sprite gave full 
credit to his story. 

“Gentlemen,” said he, “you have saved my life and the lives 
of my crew, for had it not been for your pursuit of my vessel, I 
have no question but that as soon as we vrere out of sight of land 
we should all have been murdered and thrown overboard. I left 
Gray Harbor with a much larger passenger list than we were in the 
habit of carrying, but as they had all been regularly booked by the 
company’s transportation agent, I, of course, had no voice in the 
matter, although I protested that our accommodations were inade- 
quate for so many. When I was called out of my cabin by my 
first mate and told that we were being pursued by a Revenue Cutter 
which had signalled us to heave to, I gave order to obey the signal. 

“Presently I heard the cry ‘mutiny aboard,’ and in an instant 
all was confusion. My faithful crew, seeing me advancing, revol- 
vers in hand, sprang to my assistance to a man. Their leader, with 
nearly all the passengers we had shipped, at his back, demanded our 
surrender, covering us with their revolvers. 

I questioned their leader, whom they called Ergonsorat, as to 
what this action of theirs meant. He informed me that we had on 
board arms and ammunition which he proposed to deliver, together 
with my vessel, to the Filipino patriots who were fighting for home 
and country, and that if I and my men would join them they would 
spare our lives, and we should all be rich men. He said there was 
a great party which espoused their cause that would soon have con- 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


25 


trol of the Government of the United States, and that the persecu- 
tion of the Filipinos would cease and their independence would be 
acknowledged. That he had authority from Aguinaldo to richly 
reward all his followers, and that if we would join him we should 
share that reward. I replied that such a proposition could not be 
considered. That the Revenue Cutter now following us would soon 
overhaul us, and if they did not lay down their arms at once, I would 
have every mother's son of them hung as pirates. Just at this junc- 
ture, one of Ergonsorat’s men sang out that you were gaining on us. 
This intelligence appeared to disconcert a large number of his follow- 
ers, and a dozen or more of them sang out, ‘We’ll stand by you, 
Captain. ’ Others were heard to exclaim, ‘We didn’t come here for 
this, he lied to us. ’ At this, some one opened fire on me and my 
men. We returned the fire and I could see that the passengers 
were fighting with each other. 

“About this time you opened fire upon us, and the motion of 
the ship showed that she was disabled. 

“Ergonsorat then gave an order in Spanish, which I did not 
understand, whereupon a number of his followers took to the boats. 

“You know what followed after that, Captain Sparks. ” 

Edward and the officers of the Sprite came forward to con- 
gratulate Captain Conrad for his brave defence of his ship. After 
a conference it was agreed that the Sprite should tow the Soreta back 
to port. The crew of each vessel, at Edward’s request, were pledged 
to withhold all intelligence of what had happened, it being explained 
to them that this course was necessary to assist the authorities in 
ferreting out and discovering all who were responsible for, or con- 
cerned in any way in the expedition. 

All the passengers were turned over to Captain Sparks as 
prisoners, Captain Conrad identifying ,as far as possible, those who 
had deserted their leader and come to his assistance and these were 
assured that their conduct in this particular would be duly reported 
when they should be called up for exemination. 

A thousand rifles and twenty thousand rounds of ammunition 
were turned over to the Government, 


26 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER V. 

As Edward was taking leave of Captain Conard, the Captain 
said, “there is one thing about this affair, Mr. Crawford, which 
puzzles me very much. The porpoise that upset Ergonsorats ’s 
boat was the strangest acting porpoise I ever saw or heard tell on, 
and if ’twarnt impossible, I should say ’twar another case of Jonah 
and the Whale. One thing it mighty certain, if that chap, Egon- 
sorat ever turns up alive, it will be my opinion that the devil sent 
that porpoise to help him out of the scrape.” 

Edward laughed and Captain Connard resumed, “Captain 
Sparks tells me that it was you who put them on to Egonsorat’s 
game, and as how you had made the discovery without your sight.” 

“Why, my dear fellow,” said Edward, “you are like all the 
rest I have come in contact with in this affair. All of them speak 
of the part I have taken as though I had done something wonderful . 
It is doubtless due to the fact that I am blind, and people refuse to 
believe that a blind person has brains and can use them. Now it 
was the easiest thing in the world, my dear Captain. It was simply 
putting two and two together to make four. Father had read in 
the American that a large shipment of pianos was being sent to 
Hong-Kong from the port of Gray Harbor. 

“ This seemed a little queer to me at the time, but later, a case 
of attempted blackmail, and possible murder, brought to my atten- 
tion certain facts which aroused my suspicions that a scheme was 
afoot to ship arms and ammunition out of the country contrary to 
law and possibly to aid the rebels in the Philippine Islands. 

“ Upon my reaching Elmdale, and learning that one of the sus- 
pected parties had been conducting a thriving business in second- 
hand pianos, who had only rented a store, ostensively for that pur- 
pose a few weeks ago, I connected this circumstance with the 
shipment of pinaos to Hong-Kong, as noted in the morning paper 
of the day before. The rest you know. ” 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


27 


‘‘Well, that does seem easy enough, but after all, Mr. Craw- 
ford, it is not every one who would have put two and two together, 
which you speak of as so simple a matter. In my opinion, sir, you 
are deserving of great credit. 

“At any rate, sir, it was the putting the two and two together 
that has saved my life and the lives of my crew, as well as my ship, 
and prevented any amount of mischief which the successful carrying 
out of this plot might have worked, by giving aid and encourage- 
ment to the Philippine rebellion. It is my honest opinion, sir, that 
Ergonsorat was not making an empty boast when he referred to the 
sympathizers with Aguinaldo in this country, and that bait he held 
out to those poor fellows you have on board as prisoners, would 
catch a good many. 

“Why, Lord, sir, if Uncle Sam should let those Tagalogs have 
their own way in the Philippines, twenty years wouldn’t see the end 
of the fighting and bloodshed going on there, and nothing gained at 
that, sir! 

“Why, sir, if Aguinaldo was the chap they say he is, and was 
ready to sacrifice his ambition to his country’s good, he would have 
welcomed the exchange of masters with a grateful heart and would 
have done everything possible to assist the Government of the 
United States in its efforts to bestow its blessings for the elevation 
of mankind.’’ 

“No doubt of that. Captain. Whatever our countrymen may 
think of the economy, advantages or disadvantages of our under- 
taking to carry out this trust, no one worthy of notice honestly im- 
punes the motives of those at the head of our ship of State, and the 
best friends of \the Filipinos are those who hold that our country 
should do its whole duty by this people.’’ 

“ Captain Sparks says we’ll be off in a minute, sir!’’ announced 
one of the officers of the Sprite, whom the Captain had sent to con- 
duct Edward aboard, for the conversation just related had taken 
place in the cabin of Captain Conrad, on board the Soreta, 

“Good-bye, Mr. Crawford,’’ said Captain Conrad. “I shall 
keep an eye on you, young man, and look you up the next time I 
touch any port near you.” 

“Good-bye, Captain,’’ said Edward, “you have my best wishes 
for a successful voyage.’’ 


28 


ADRIFT IN THE CLOUD 


When Edward reached the deck of the Sprite, all was ready, 
and she started on her homeward trip. 

It was agreed on the return journey of the Sprite, that the 
person responsible for the death of the individual whose body was 
found at the foot of West Rock, had, undoubtedly, paid the penalty 
of his crime. 

Therefore nothing could be gained by keeping Willie Nolan 
any longer as a prisoner, and a few minutes after the Sprite had 
reached her moorings Mr. Edward Crawford, the Chief, and District 
Attorney held an inter veiw with the Attorney for the State, at the 
close of which the former, with an order of release in his pocket, 
started for the jail, and when the last train for Middlebrook left 
Elmdale, William Nolan and his friend were passengers, and that 
night mother and son shed tears of joy over what to them appeared 
a miraculous deliverance, for neither of them knew any of the events 
of the day, and ascribed his deliverance wholly to the intervention 
of the man whom they had but yesterday considered helpless in 
his blindness. 

The report of the coroner’s jury fully exonerated William 
Nolan, and a letter from the widow of the late Horace Simpson 
founder of the American, came with the morning papers, request- 
ing Mr. Nolan to resume his labors as reporter for the paper. 

The disappearance of Brockway was still very mysterious, 
but as certain securities intrusted to him to be placed in the safe 
at the office were also missing, the conclusion arrived at was that 
he had made use of these securities, and fearing to be discovered 
as a defaulter he had joined Ergonsorat’s expedition, and was. 
probably, one of the men in the small boat when it was unaccount- 
ably wrecked. 

It was, therefore, with a feeling that the defaulter had been 
overtaken by an avenging justice that all further investigation was 
abandoned. One week later a partially decomposed body which 
had drifted ashore near '‘Raven Rock” was discovered by the 
light -house keeper and identified as Brock way’s by means of a 
package of papers among which were the rnissing securities, 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


29 


CHAPTER VI. 

Two weeks had elapsed since the eventful day in which the 
Sprite brought the Soreta back to port. John Fairchild was once 
more seated in his library listening to an account by Griggs of the 
time he had already expended on his mission. 

“Well, sir, “ said Mr. Fairchild, “your face tells me that you 
have met with some success. ’’ 

“I hope you will consider it so, sir,” replied Griggs. “At 
least I did my best, as I promised you. Fortune favored me, for as 
I stopped at the house of the Judge, in the guise of a weary traveler 
asking that I might be furnished with a drink of cool water, I over- 
heard a conversation between Judge Crawford and his man-of-all 
work, whom he called Dan, which informed me that the Judge was 
contemplating the employment of a local firm of painters and 
decorators to paint his house. Hearing the name of the firm men- 
tioned, and instructions given to Dan to call at their place of busi- 
ness and request one of the firm to inspect the work which he wished 
done and furnish him an estimate, I hastened away to forestall 
Dan, and succeeded in getting an interview with Mr. Sykes, the 
senior member of the firm, before Dan arrived, in consequence of 
which the estimate of Sykes & Co. was most satisfactory and I ap- 
peared at the home of the Judge the next morning in the character 
of a journeyman painter, for I had served an apprenticeship at 
that business before I entered the service of your company. ” 

“That was quite cleverly done.” 

“That was only a step, sir, towards the goal I wished to reach. 
I had a chance to observe father and son and to occasionally en- 
gage them in conversation, and one day, I casually observed to 
young Mr. Crawford that I hoped I should some day be able to find 
some occupation more elevating to the mind than house-painting. 
I explained that it did not agree with me ; that the poison in the 
lead frequently made me ill, which was very true, when I was an 
apprentice. He inquired which way my ambition ran, and I 
boldly asserted that I should like to become a lawyer like himself. 


30 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


His answer was rather discouraging, for he replied in a regretful 
tone of voice ‘well, I guess your chances of gratifying your ambi- 
tion are better than mine,’ and before I could vouchsafe any reply 
his sister joined us, and the conversation took another turn. A 
few days later, however, for some reason, unacountable to me on 
any other hypothesis than that Mr. Crawford had arrived at a 
different conclusion, by thinking the matter out, I learned from 
Dan, when I arrived to go to work that he had just taken Mr. 
Edward to the station and left him on the train for Elmdale. ‘An’ 
do ye believe, Mr. Griggs,’ says Dan, ‘he’s gone all alone; nary a 
one of us would he have to go wid him. His sister Mary is worry- 
ing the life out of her, but as the Judge seems to think it’s all right, 
I suppose it must be.’ I assured Dan that he need have no fears. 
Last evening, after Mr. Edward had returned from Elmdale, he 
sent for me, and I was overjoyed to learn that my previous inter- 
view with him had borne fruit. ‘Mr. Griggs,’ said he, ‘you told 
me a few days ago that you would like to leave off painting and 
study law. Are you still of that mind?’ I replied that I vas. 
He then plied me with questions calculated to see how far I was 
advanced in the common English branches and seemed rather sur- 
prised and gratified with the results. 

‘Well, sir,’ he said, ‘I suppose you know there will not be 
much money in it for you the next three years at least, and, per- 
haps, for three years more after that, for much patience is often 
required in getting a start, even after you have been admitted to 
the bar. But I think I can offer you rather an exceptional oppor- 
tunity to learn, provided we can come to terms.’ 

“Assuring him that I would be satisfied with any terms he 
choose to make, he concluded the interview by saying, ‘ that if Mr. 
Sykes could put another man in my place on the house, I could 
accompany him to his office in the morning,’ and I have had my 
first day’s experience as amanuensis and law student. Mr. Craw- 
ford was greatly gratified to learn that I understood stenography 
and typewriting, and seemed pleased with my work. This is the 
goal I planned to reach, and I trust the progress I have made is 
satisfactory.” 

“If you succeed as well in all things as you have in this, Mr. 
Griggs, I will not have much reason to complain.” 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


3i 


“There is one thing, however, sir, that is troubling me.” 

“Well, sir, what is that?” 

“You know, sir, the position which I occupy is one of trust 
and confidence. I know you would not ask me to do anything dis- 
honorable, sir, and I know your only motive is to carry out your 
intention of being of service to Mr. Crawford. My first thought 
was to get into a position to know all about his affairs, but now 
that I have succeeded in doing so, how am I to serve two masters, 
and at the same time be worthy of the trust and confidence im- 
posed in me by each?” 

“Give yourself no uneasiness on that score, Mr. Griggs. It 
is not necessary for my purpose that I should know any of the 
transactions of lawyer and client, which in your capacity you may 
become acquainted with, but it is my purpose to do all that my 
influence and means will enable me to do to advance the interests 
of this young man. To do this without his knowing it, some one 
must be on the ground familiar with all the circumstances and 
capable of judging when and how a move should be made. You 
have given me up to this time a detailed explanation of how you 
contrived to become a law student in the office of Mr. Crawford, 
but from this time forward I shall require no such detailed state- 
ment, and I shall make you sole judge of the occasion and the 
thing to be done. In other words, sir, my bank account and any 
influence I possess are at your disposal for carrying out the pur- 
pose I have explained, and the only return I ask, is such as I shall 
get, in common with every other observer of his career. You, of 
course, note that this is an extraordinary charge I impose both 
upon your judgment and integrity. I pride myself, sir, that I am 
a good reader of character, and I have had five years in which to 
study yours,” saying which, Mr. Fairchild arose, shook hands with 
Mr. Griggs, and bade him good evening. 

On the way to his lodgings, Griggs pondered over what the 
railroad magnate had said to him. 

John Fairchild was rated as a multi-millionaire. He had 
just said his bank account and influence were at his (Griggs) dis- 
posal, to advance the interests of Edward Crawford, and the task 
was his, to use both for this purpose, without even arousing the 
suspicion of the young lawyer. 


32 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


There was nothing then to do but to await events. It might 
be months, and even years. 

The chance, however, was nearer at hand than Mr. Griggs 
supposed, and one that would put John Fairchild’s good intentions 
to the test, nor was it to be either the expeiidiure of money, or the 
exertion of influence, but a plain, simple act of justice. 


.i) 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


33 


CHAPTERiVII. 

When Edward was admitted to the bar and took the oath to 
uphold the law without fear or favor, to do his whole duty as an 
officer of the court and a public servant, he did so conscientiously. 
His idea of legal ethics differed materially from the idea enter- 
tained by many of his brother lawyers. 

As a law student he had at times reason to believe that certain 
members of the profession were ready to place their conscience 
as well as their ability at the disposal of their clients. He had also 
observed that there were those who were willing to make profit 
out of the passions of litigents, and to substitute shrewdness, or 
what is commonly termed “sharp practice,” for honest and faith- 
ful service consistent with the rights of all concerned. All this he 
deemed unworthy of the high calling of his profession. In short, 
his high ideal was that of a Christian knight, in the days of chivalry, 
who, enlisting on the side he deemed to be in the right, would lose 
his right hand rather than take any mean or unknightly advan- 
tage of a foe. Again, he saw no reason why that rule of ethics 
which bound the profession of physicians and surgeons to graciously 
and uncomplainingly administer to the wants of the poor without 
hope of reward, should not obtain with the legal profession. He 
was not slow to observe that, though the laws were fair enough 
in the main, where litigents were evenly pitted against each other 
with respect to resources and means, the very forms and so-called 
safe guards were weapons of oppression when one litigent chanced 
to be rich and the other poor. His very first case after being ad- 
mitted to the bar, was the case of a young servant girl with whom 
an arbitrary and over-bearing employer had become unreason- 
ably vexed and discharged without notice, retaining a month’s 
wages as an offset for broken crockery, for which the girl was in 
nowise responsible. The employer was the keeper of a fashionable 
caffi, where the “smart set” were wined and dined. At a ban- 
quet which called into requisition all the tables of the establish- 
ment, one of the legs of the kitchen table, upon which the unwashed 


34 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


crockery was wont to be piled, was badly damaged. The servant 
had called her employer’s attention to this on several occasions, 
but he had given no heed; and one day, when the kitchen maid 
was busy at dish-washing, the table was loaded beyond its strength 
with dishes brought in by the waiters, and it came down with a 
crash. The girl felt the injustice of her dismissal but stood ap- 
palled when her employer refused to pay her her hard earned wages. 
It was the first time she had ever had any occasion to invoke the 
aid of the law. She entered the first law office she same to, and 
told her story. Edward Crawford happened to be in the office in 
quest of a certain law report which was not to be found in his or 
his father’s library. He arose to go as the girl entered, but Squire 
Topham, as he was called, judging from the appearance of the 
young woman, that the business was not of the confidential sort, 
bade Edward be seated. After the girl had finished her story. 
Squire Topham, blowing a puff from his cigar, proceeded with his 
inquiries as follows : 

^ “ How much did you say there was due you? ” 

; “Twelve dollars, sir” 

“And you want a suit brought to recover it? ” 

, “Yes, sir.” 

“Have you any money with which to pay me a retainer?^’ 

“Naw, sir; That is all I have.” 

“Have you any friends who could give a bond to prosecute 
this case and pay all damages if you should lose your case?” 

“Naw, sir. I have no friends that would do that, and what’s 
cornin’ to me is all I have .” 

“And you haven’t that yet,” said ’Squire Topham with a 
smile. 

“Naw sir, the more the pity, that.” 

“Well, my good woman,” said the squire, “It does seem a 
little hard, but I don’t see as we can do anything for you. The 
law says you must furnish a bond to prosecute, and if you can’t 
do that, you’ll have to make the best of it and let it go.” 

“But can’t I speak to the judge about it?” 

“The judge can do nothing for you until the case is brought 
regularly before him. That is the law.” 

With this the girl burst into tears and left the office. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


35 


Edward, thanking ’Squire Topham for the use of the report, 
followed, and soon overtook her. In a kindly tone he bade her 
stop her weeping, saying, '*1 will go with you and call on your 
employer; perhaps he will think better of his decision.” 

The girl glanced up gratefully into his face and with a '‘Thank 
you, sir,” led the way to the office. 

As he entered, the proprietor, guessing his errand, at first 
ignored him altogether, but finally rising and starting to go into 
another room, said, ” I am too busy to talk with you, sir.” 

‘‘Perhaps you would prefer to talk with an- officer,” said 
Edward. 

“What do you know about an officer, you young turkey-cock? 
I discharged that girl this morning because I had a mind to, and 
if you wish to pick up the matter and go bonds for her I’ll give you 
a dusty hunt.” saying which, he turned on his heels and walked 
away. 

This remark showed very clearly that the keeper of the cafe 
was relying on the friendless position of the young girl, and her 
inability to furnish bond. Edward gave the girl a dollar for her im- 
mediate necessities and told her to call at his office in the morning. 
That night he talked over the affair with his father. The old 
judge after hearing the account replied, — “Well, my boy, that’s 
a good case for you to begin on, but I’m afraid if you follow up that 
sort of thing you will have more clients than dollars. I confess 
I have been a little injudicious in that way myself. You may put 
me down as bondsman for the girl, however, and teach that insolent 
fellow a lesson.” 

On the following day, shortly after business hours, the keeper 
of the caffi, somewhat crestfallen entered the office of Crawford & 
Crawford and inquired why his caffi was under attachment. 

Edward politely informed him, when he replied, “So you really 
mean to fight this case do you?” 

“ I really do, sir! ” 

“ How much will it take to settle it where it is? ” 

Edward made an estimate of the officer’s fees and the price 
of the writ, and mentioned the sum of twenty dollars. 

With this the restaurant keeper fired up again, saying, “I’ll 
pay forty first,” and left the office. He found another lawyer who 


36 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


accepted ten dollars to defend the case. The magistrate believed 
the girl’s story, and found that she was in no way responsible for 
the broken dishes. The keeper of the caf^ was given an opportunity 
to pay the additional costs of the trial, which, with the fee he had 
paid his own attorney, relieved him of the forty dollars he had 
mentioned. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


37 


CHAPTER VIII. 

It was a glorious July day. Two days before, Edward Craw- 
ford had received word from little Marie, in a letter from Mrs. 
Fairchild, that she was coming arOund the next day to take]her 
big brother out on another yachting excursion. There was to be 
great merrymaking, followed by a grand illumination at Rocky 
Point ; and little Marie had said in her mamma’s letter: “You must 
be sure to go, for you know I want you to, and I sha’n’t have a bit 
good time at all if you don’t go with me. I am going to tell you 
all about the fireworks, so please don’t say no.’’ 

As Edward listened to this message his heart warmed toward 
the little child, and he once more felt her tiny arms about his neck 
and the tears upon his face. 

“Dear little heart,’’ he exclaimed. “I wouldn’t disappoint her 
for the world. Her love for me is so sweet and fragrant that it 
seems to take the place of the flowers whose bloom and beauty I 
can no longer look upon, and I would rather listen to her childish 
chatter than the eloquence of the silver tongued orator. Yes, 
sweetheart, we will have a holiday together and you shall tell me 
about the fireworks.” Saying which he directed Griggs to write 
the following reply at his dictation: 

“Dear little Sister: — Your big brother accepts your kind and 
thoughtful invitation, and next Wednesday shall be a big red-letter 
day for both of us. Let us hope it will be as bright and sunny as 
the face of my little friend. Tell papa and mama that I shall look 
forward with pleasant anticipation to another delightful day on 
the “ Gypsie. ” 

Lovingly your brother, 

Edward. ” 

About nine o’clock Edward heard the shrill whistle of the 
“ Gypsie, ” as she entered the mouth of the Massasoit. As the entire 
family had been included in Mrs Fairchild’s invitation^’and all were 
ready, the party walked briskly down to the dock and arrived 
there just as the graceful and beautiful yacht, with all her flags 


38 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


and streamers flying, came up to the dock. As the bell of the pilot 
gave the signal for shutting off -steam, the boom of the small brass 
cannon she carried on her deck gave a salute of welcome to her 
passengers. Marie was the first to land, and, running up to Ed- 
ward she took him by the hand as before, and, chattering like a 
magpie, led him along on to the gang-plank, telling him when to 
step up and step down, with as much care and responsibility as 
if she had been many years older. 

No sooner was the party aboaid than the boom of the cannon 
was again heard, followed by the jingle of the bell in the engine 
room, and the churning of the water under the keel of the “ Gypsie 
a perceptable quiver, and the thing of beauty was alive and began 
to plough through the water with the energy of a young giant. 
How grand was the breeze which fanned away the fever heat, from 
the sweltering faces, for old Sol by this time was beginning to send 
down his fiercest rays. As they steamed out into the sound Ed- 
ward’s ears were greeted with the exclamations of delight from all on 
board, for they were out just in time to witness the passing of the 
White Squadron which had been ordered to parade * off Newport. 
Slowly, but majestically the vessels filed by, and, as Edward listened 
to the exclamations of the members of the party, he was surprised 
and delighted with the picture his imagination drew for him. It 
was entirely a new sensation. Never before, except in dreams, 
had he known what it was to see with the eyes of the mind. It 
seemed to him that he was looking down from some elevated station, 
for he could see the “ Gypsie ” dancing along over the white-capped 
waves. To the left, the irregular coast line of the main-land, to the 
right, the long verdure covered strip of an island. Just in front of 
the “Gypsie” a school of frolicksome porpoises were disporting in 
the waves, while far to the eastward were a score or more of fish- 
hawks and sea gulls circling in the air and showing to the eye of the 
experienced fisherman, by their presence, the location of a small 
army of the finny tribe on its annual ‘pilgrimage. Here and there 
the sails of smaller crafts, and now, ship after ship of the line, with 
the glorious stars and stripes waving out in all their beauty, and 
the rows of port holes, the frowning cannon, the uniformed marines. 
Surely these great war engines, as they loomed up in all their 
power and grandeur, were but symbols of the great and powerful 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


39 


nation which had sprung into existence in a little more than a cen- 
tury, now leading the van, with civilization, Christianity, humanity, 
liberty, and fraternity following in her wake, as do these great 
vessels follow in the wake of the flag-ship. 

Edward suddenly awakened from his dream by Marie asking 
him where the big ships were going, and what they were for. He 
replied, “ I don’t know where they are going, my dear, and I cannot 
explain what they are for better than to ask you a question.” 
What does your papa keep Ponto for?” 

“You mean my big dog? Why, papa said he was to keep 
bad men called burglers away, and take care of me.” 

Well, dear, those great big ships are like so many great big 
Ponto’s, and those great round things, are called cannons. You 
know the little brass cannon on the deck; they are like it, only they 
make a much louder noise, and those men Are them at other big 
ships, which are worse than burglers, for they come to kill 
people and burn their houses, and they must be kept away b}^ these 
big ships of ours. Do you understand little sweetheart?’ ’ 

“I guess so; mama read me a story yesterday, about a bad 
man who carried away a beautiful young lady and locked her up 
in a great stone house he called his castle, and how a beautiful and 
noble prince, whose name was Armand, came and made the bad 
man give her up, and took her back to her home and friends, and 
I told mamma you was my prince, and I was going to call you 
Armand, and she said I might, and I can, can’t I?” 

“Yes, little sister, you may call me anything you please.” 
Just then a call from Mrs. Fairchild sent her tripping away to the 
cabin, for her mamma had promised her she should help with the 
cream and cake and other dainties brought for the refreshment of 
the company. 

When Rocky Point was reached, the company on board the 
“ Gypsie ” found a multitude of people, as this day had been selected 
for a number of excursions. The day was passed, as all such days, 
in merry-making. 

There were many novel ways of amusing children, some of 
which the older people joined in with equal zest. Then came 
the illumination and fire-works, and, true to her promise, little 
Marie was on hand td tell Edward Jail about them. Amusing in- 


40 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


deed was her description of the rockets, roman candles and the 
various devices employed in the pyrotechnic display to delight the 
children. 

At length the whistles and bells of the waiting steamers noti- 
fied the great mass of humanity that it was time to begin the 
homeward journey, and in a few minutes a seething, struggling 
crowd of men, women and children, were rushing, crowding and 
jostling each other to get on board. The voices of officers and 
guardsmen were heard warning the crowd to keep back, and fi- 
nally boat after boat followed each other, loaded to their utmost 
capacity. The last boat had left the landing, and more than a 
thousand people were left behind. The boats which had brought 
the passengers from early morning until afternoon had been making 
hourly trips from the termination of the different roads to the 
pleasure resort, and many were the anxious inquiries as to whether 
the excursion trains would wait for the boats to return for another 
load of passengers. 

Marie and Mrs. Fairchild both became interested in the prob- 
lem. A mother and her three little children had been separted 
from the father, and, as he could not be found, it was supposed 
that he had boarded one of the boats, in the belief that his wife and 
children were safely aboard. The children, taking alarm, began 
to cry, which excited Marie’s sympathy, and soon the mother 
was explaining the situation to Edward. 

Just then her eldest boy caught sight of his father and ran to 
fetch him. He soon joined them and explained that he had been 
separated from his wife and children in the crush of the crowd, 
as it surged towards the boats. He said there were eighteen or 
twenty more of the Elmdale people, who had been left. Edward 
directed him to hunt them all up and bring them to him. When 
they were all assembled, Edward found several acquaintances, and, 
taking Jack Eldridge, an old school-mate of his, by the arm, he 
bade the others await his return, explaining that he was going to 
hunt up a telephone and try to hold the train until the boat could 
make another trip. 

When Edward returned and reported that the train would not 
wait, the company was very much cast down, and when its mem- 
bers learneffithat the regular fare back to Elmdale was four dollars, 
their consternation was complete, for none of them had provided 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


41 


for such a contingency, to say nothing of the hotel bills overnight. 

The Judge becoming fatigued, had been accompanied by Mary 
to the Gypsie ” before the rush for the boats began. Edward sent 
word to him by Mrs. Fairchild that he would accompany the left- 
over excursionists back to Elmdale and see them safely through. 
He then signalled for the attention of all and bade them stop worry- 
ing. He told them the railroad company was wholly to blame 
and that it would be obliged to make it right, that he would go 
with them to Providence, and see that they were all taken care of 
for the night, and go home with them on the train next day. No 
money would be required, as he would pay the bills and get the 
outlay back from the company, which was responsible for their 
being left. 

All were overjoyed at this announcement, and Marie, who 
had been pacifying her little charge with assurances that her Ar 
mand would make the mean old boat captain take them home, 
now came running up to Edward, gave him a hug and a kiss, saying, 
“ I told the little girl you would do it. ” 

Edward kissed her and told her he was glad she thought he 
could do so much, but now she must go with her mamma and tell 
his father and Aunt Mary all about it. She promised to do so, 
kissed him good-night and ran to her mamma, who was waiting 
for her. 

Edward found no difficulty in securing accommodations for 
the people over night and they were all on hand at the station early 
the next morning. After purchasing a regular ticket for himself 
he directed the others to hand their excursion tickets to him, and 
enjoined them all to tell the conductor, as he came along, to look 
to him for their tickets and not to move from their seats, without 
he told them to. In about ten minutes after the train was under 
way, the conductor came along. He had divined what was in the 
wind, and, like a war horse which scents the battle from afar, was 
ready for the encounter. 

“Are you the party to whom I am to look for the fares of these 
twenty passengers back here, sir?” 

“Yes, sir,” said Edward; here are the tickets,” and he began 
to explain, when he was cut short by “I have heard that story 
before, sir; I cannot accept these tickets; they will have to pay 
full fare or get off at the next station. ” 


42 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


“They will not do that, sir; and I advise you to telegraph ahead 
for orders before you try putting them off. “ 

“I know my business, young man, without any advice from 
you,” and, turning back, announced in a voice loud enough to be 
heard by all the passengers, “all you people will have to pay your 
fares or get off when the train stops. ” 

When the conductor had passed into the next car Edward 
told Jack Eldridge to quietly tell the members of the party to keep 
their seats and not be afraid. They were not to resist if the con- 
ductor attempted to put them off by force, but let him carry them 
off bodily. Maggie Murphy, the cook at the Elmdale House, who 
weighed about 260 pounds, raised a laugh by exclaiming, “Musha, 
but won’t that conductor have a job liftin’ me off the car! ” 

When the conductor re-entered the car Edward, whose seat 
was near the door, overheard the brakemen say, “Better go slow, 
Tom, that is old Judge Crawford’s son, and I guess he knows what 
he is about. ” 

When the train stopped at the next station no atempt was 
made to put them off ; but when the conductor came through again 
he took a seat with Edward and, in a gentlemanly way said, “I 
understand you are a lawyer. ” 

Edward assented and the conductor went on to say, “You 
ought to know that I am obliged to follow out my instructions. 
If I do not collect these fares I shall either have to pay for them 
myself or run the risk of losing my job. ” 

“Now you talk like a man,” said Edward, “here is my card 
and if the company makes you account for these fares after you 
have explained the situation, let me know, and I will send you 
my check for the amount. ” 

The conductor thanked Edward, took the card and went his 
way. He evidently concluded to take Edward’s advice, however, 
and telegraphed ahead, for when the train arrived at Elmdale, 
the division superintendent was at the station to meet it, and, as 
Edward alighted, he was introduced by the conductor. After 
listening to Edward’s explanation, he said. “The right way would 
have been to let the passengers pay the regular fare back and 
put a claim in to the company for reimbursement. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


43 


Edward replied that he thought otherwise; he was acquainted 
with the usual fate of such claims. He showed the superintendent 
a statement of the company's hotel expenses over night, plus half a 
day’s lost time for fourteen men, aggregating fifty-one dollars, and 
asked the superintendent if he thought the company would allow 
that. 

The superintendent smiled, wished him success and bade him 
good-morning. Edward then secured the address of each member 
of the party, with a promise that they would respond whenever they 
were wanted. He then shook hands with them all around, and, 
accompanied by Jack Eldridge, called on the company’s attorney, 
who met him with a very suave manner, took the statement, and 
said he would report later. Edward rejoined that he should expect 
to hear from it within a week. 

“So soon?” said the attorney, ironically. 

“Yes,” said Edward, “that will give you time to look up and 
verify my statement of the facts;* ’ saying which, he bade the attor- 
ney good-morning, and went with Jack around to his office, where, 
in the mail awaiting him, he found a Government warrant for a 
thousand dollars, for the part he had taken in breaking up Ergon- 
sorat’s expedition and frustrating his plans. “Well!” said Ed- 
ward, “one thing evens up another. I guess I shall have consider- 
able business on hand of the charity sort, before I bring that rail- 
road to time ; but this check will make things easy. 


44 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER IX. 

John Fairchild was in his library, walking to and fro with a 
letter in his hand. His brow was knit, and showed plainly that 
he was perplexed. A servant entered and presented my card. 

“Glad to see you, my dear doctor,” said Mr. Fairchild, “I 
wanted some one to talk with over a matter concerning our mutual 
friend Crawford. Here is a letter which I have just received from 
Griggs; read it.” 

The letter, after giving an account of the manner in which 
Edward had assisted the excursionists, and his demand upon the 
railroad company’s attorney for satisfaction of the small bill cover- 
ing their expenses and loss of time, concluded by saying. 

Mr. Crawford is determined that the railroad company shall 
pay this bill. If the company refuses, he will, at his own expense, 
press the claim of each man in the courts — to the court of final 
resort, if necessary. 

“I know that it is the settled practice of the company to dis- 
courage all attempts to ignore its rule for disposing of such claims 
in its own way, by making it cost each litigent more than he will 
get, even though he should finally recover in his suit. 

“I have heard you say that this policy must be maintained 
at all hazards, to the end that the public shall come to know that 
it does not pay to bring a suit at law against a great corporation. 
I know, also, that as a result of this policy, all minor claims against 
the company are either abandoned or submitted to the company’s 
attorney in the manner prescribed by the company, in which case 
the decision of the attorney is received as final. 

“Crawford and I have talked this matter over, and he under- 
stands as well as I do the settled policy of the company, but he 
holds that it is an usurpation of the authority vested by law, in 
the courts alone, and that no poor man who appeals to him shall 
be allowed to submit to it, as long as he has the ability and means 
to contend against it. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


45 


A word from you, sir, to the company’s attorney, would settle 
all these excurison cases at once, and it seems a pity that Edward 
Crawford who, I know, has a matter of much more import on 
hand requiring his undivided attention, should be compelled to 
give time that the prosecution of these cases will demand. 

The amount in controversy is so small that I submit the whole 
matter for your consideration on my own responsibility, and, of 
course, with out the knowledge of Mr. Crawford. 

I have the honor to remain, my dear sir. 

Most respectfully yours, 

Herbert Griggs. 

After reading this letter to the end, I looked up with a smile, 
saying, “Why, surely this is a very wordy communication for so 
small a matter. You will, of course, relieve our friend of any 
further trouble with these petty cases, so that he will be at liberty 
to attend to the bigger fish he has to fry.’’ 

“Doctor, if that letter had asked me to draw my check for a 
thousand, yes, ten thousand dollars, to assist Edward Crawford 
to carry out any plan that did not touch a settled policy of our 
company, I should have drawn my check for the amount without 
any hesitation, but if I should consent to a settlement of these 
claims, presented as they are, by a lawyer representing a dozen 
or fifteen men who are doubtless more or less connected with as 
many labor organizations and societies, it would be regarded as a 
back down on our part, and we should have ten or twenty years 
work to do over again, and be pestered with petty suits whenever 
any one imagined himself damaged or injured in any way for 
which we could be held accountable in the courts.” 

“Well, I confess, Mr. Fairchild, that this is a revelation to me. 
I knew that the great corporations of the country were strong and 
powerful, but I certainly was not aware that they had adopted an 
attitude, and followed a studied policy toward the public which 
placed them in a position to ignore just claims, however petty 
they might be.” 

“Oh! for that matter Doctor, if anyone takes the course we 
have prescribed, our attorney will consider his case; we intend to 
do justice in such matters.” 

“In other words, Mr. Fairchild, your company, if allowed to 


46 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


be judge and jury in its own cause, may sometimes grant the 
humble petitioner the relief he seeks. Praying your pardon, I 
must confess to holding Edward Crawford’s opinion, that this is 
an unwarranted usurpation of the authority of the courts, and a 
menace to, if not an absolute subversion of the sacred rights of 
thejpeople.” 

John Fairchild laughed good naturedly. “The sacred rights 
of the people,” said he, “is a phrase with which politicians bait 
their hooks. We pracitcal railroad men are aware that sacred 
dollars count for a great deal more these days than sacred rights, 
but what perplexes me most is that Edward Crawford, whom I 
would give half I am worth to help on in the world, has started 
in to ride this hobby; and the worst of it is I know he is con- 
scientious in what he does. I suppose I have got to find some way 
of saving him from butting his head against a stone wall. I don’t 
see just how it is to be done, — though perhaps you could give me 
some idea.” 

“Well, Mr. Fairchild, the only idea I could offer would go 
counter to your settled convictions of your duty as a railroad 
president, and I think I shall spare you their recital. I am on 
my way to my cottage, and just stopped in for a moment to say 
howd’y, and good-by; so will have to bid you good-morning.” 

“Good-morning, sir,” said Mr. Fairchild a little stiffly, as he 
resumed his walk, perplexity showing still more deeply in his face. 

The man of iron was having a conflict with the man of heart 
within himself. Which would win was yet a problem. He finally 
put on his hat, ordered his carriage and drove to the office of the 
corporation’s attorney. That gentleman received him with the 
usual deference paid by officers and employees alike, and Mr. 
Fairchild came to the point at once. 

“Mr. Braine, has your attention been called to the claims of 
certain belated excursionists to be reimbursed for their expenses 
and loss of time from the last Rockey Point excursion?” 

“Yes, sir,” Judge Crawford’s son called on me two days ago, 
and made a statement of their claims.” 

“Good! Send him a check at once. The matter is in better 
shape than I supposed.” 

“But, sir, will this not be a departure from our rule of not 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


47 


paying attention to any claims presented by attorneys? Would 
it not be better to notify the persons concerned, that if they with- 
draw their cases from the hands of their attorney and present them 
in the usual manner, they will receive consideration.”? 

“I agree, sir,” said Mr. Fairchild, “that this course is the one 
that you have been enjoined to pursue, but as n oactual suit has 
as yet been begun, I think I will have you depart somewhat from 
the rule this time, for reasons of my own. I will dictate a letter, 
which you will write above your own signature, to Mr. Crawford. ” 

Edward Crawford, Esq. 

Boardman Building, 

City. 

My Dear Sir: 

Becoming satisfied that the claims presented by you for re- 
imbursement of the excursionists are just, I take pleasure in en- 
closing the company’s check for the amount mentioned in your 
statement. 

I have the honor to remain. 

Very respectfully, 

James C. Braine. 

“Good morning, Mr. Braine!” “Good morning, sir!” and 
John Fairchild walked out of the office with the feeling that the 
man of iron and the man of heart had hit upon a fortunate com- 
promise. 

The following morning when Griggs opened the mail and read 
this letter to Edward, the latter exclaimed, “Well, that beats me. 
If Jim Braine’s voice didn’t have fight in it when I handed him those 
claims, I’m no judge. Well that’s a short horse soon curried, and 
I am glad of it, for I did want to give my attention to something 
else very much. 

That evening, each member of the excursion party received a 
check for the amount due him, and each was as much surprised 
in his turn as Edward Crawford was when he received the check 
from Mr. Braine for the whole amount; for they had anticipated 
a long and determined fight with the railroad company. 

As Edward boarded the train that evening for Middlebrook, 
a messenger boy, nearly out of breath from running to overtake 


48 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


him, handed him a telegram which he gave to Griggs to read. 
It proved to be a request that Edward should at once repair to 
Washington to confer with the Secretary of War. That the matter 
in hand was urgent, appeared from the fact that the conference 
was appointed for lo a. rh. on the following morning, to keep which, 
Edward must leave Elmdale that night on the Federal Express. 

It was decided that Grigss should get off the trian at the next 
station, return to Elmdale, purchase the tickets to Washington and 
meet Edward on the arrival of the lo o’clock local, from Middle- 
brook. 

All the way home Edward was endeavoring to conjecture the 
nature of the business which required such urgency. 

At the supper table the judge showed his satisfaction and de- 
light, by his animated conversation, jestingly predicting that the 
President would make a place for him in his next cabinet. 

Leaving Edward to carry out his arrangements for keeping 
this appointment, it will be necessary to go back several years in 
our narrative, in order that we may understand the events which 
led to the summoning of Edward to this conference desired by 
the Secretary of War. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


49 


CHAPTER X. 

Following the investigation after the tragic death of the 
Czar of Russia on March 13, 1881, at the hands of the Nihilists, 
an order for the arrest of the youngest son of a Russian noble 
named Ergonsoratkoff, had been issued. A friend of the noble- 
man, at great risk and hazzard to himself, had communicated 
this intelligence to the boy’s father, and, when the young man was 
summoned into his father’s presence and questioned concerning 
his connection with the plot of the Nihilists, he frankly owned, 
that while a student at the Dorpat University, he had secretly 
connected himself with the revolutionists, and had attended several 
of their meetings. 

He was aware that there were other societies existing that 
constantly drew recruits from the revolutionists. He had had 
no part in the plot for the assasination of the Czar, and had had no 
guilty knowledge of its existence. The object of the organization 
he had joined, as stated in its constitution, was to secure for its 
members liberty of speech and the privilege of discussing political 
questions, looking only to the eventual substitution of a repre- 
sentative government, or limited monarchy, for the existing 
autocracy. But he had had no thought of attempting to bring 
about this reform by the assassination of the Czar, and was as 
much horrified as his father could have been when he heard the 
news. 

When the young man had finished, the grave, sad face of his 
father sent a chill to his heart. 

“My son, I fear that you have not only placed your own 
life in jeopardy, but that you have brought ruin upon our family. 

Alexander III is not the liberal man his father was, and 
those misguided Nihilists, by their rash act, have blocked the 
wheels of progress, and banished all hope for the creation of a 
constituent assembly. But we have no time to loose. Even 


50 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


while we are talking, the officers of the law may enter to arrest you. 
But for the warning sent me by Melikoff, you would have been 
arrested before either of us knew you were suspected. Your 
protestations of your innocence of any guilty knowledge of the 
plot to assassinate Alexander II, will not avail you. You must 
fly at once, and leave Russia forever, or spend the remainder of 
your life, as a convict in Siberia.” 

Hastily embracing his son, he placed in his hands all the ready 
money he could command, and bade him make his way, in the 
disguise of a peasant, to the eastern frontier, where a less strict 
watch was kept up. 

“Do not attempt to leave Russia from any western port,” 
he added, “it will be a long, dangerous and tedious journey, but 
your only hope lies to the east.” 

The young man, after a tearful, but hasty farewell to his 
mother and two sisters, made his way out of the house, first having 
donned the garb of a peasant, provided him by one of the servants, 
who insisted that he be allowed to accompany him. And after a 
long, wearisome and perilous journey, they shook the dust of 
Russia from their feet forever, as he then thought. 

Two years later, young Ergonsorat, as he was now known, 
met other fugitives from Russia, who informed him that shortly 
after his departure, his old father was arrested ai\d sent to Siberia, 
on the charge of having assisted the escape of his Nihilist son, 
and his mother and sisters were reduced to want by the confiscation 
of the family estate. Ergonsorat was then a clerk in the great 
merchantile house of Goldburg & Helbig, at Manila. 

Four years later, having changed much, and speaking the 
language of the Tagalos, French and Spanish, with great fluency 
he returned to St. Petersburg in search of lus mother and sisters, 
but could find no trace of them. His father, he learned, had died 
after two years of convict life. Embittered, and caring little, he 
swore ^to devote the remainder of his life to resist all forms of op- 
pression and injustice. Henceforth, he would be a Nihilist at 
heart and in deed.‘ Moved by this resolution, he determined to 
seek out one of his former classmates at the Universit}^ who, he 
was satisfied, was a member of a group of Nihilists, although now 
in the confidence of the Czar, and holding an important position 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


5i 


in the secret service. So fortunate was this man, while in the 
University, in holding a place of the highest esteem in the regard 
of his superiors while yet a leader of the set that laughed at the 
laws and regulations of the University, that he was known familiarly 
by his immediate associates as '‘Talleyrand,” and when the revol- 
utionists were being pursued with the greatest vigor, he became 
the trusted favorite of the chief of the secret police; while at the 
same time, he had been, and was still, believed by those belonging 
to the inner circle of extremists to be the leading spirit among them. 

It should be stated at this point, in view of what follows, that 
the mother of Ergonsorat, was a member of a family of the French 
nobility. It was when his father was a member of the French 
legation at Paris, that he had wooed and won her; and, so much 
did Ergonsorat resemble his mother, that he was more often taken 
for a Frenchman than a Russian. 

While calling at the house of this former classmate, whose 
name was Zolikoff — Ergonsorat conceived the plan of striking 
down the Czar with his own hand. For, upon entering the house, 
he was accosted by one of the servants as M. le. Farge, who mis- 
took him for the private secretary of the French Ambassador. 
Ergonsorat thought but little of this at first, but, while waiting 
for the interview with his friend, the idea occurred to him to at 
first assume to be M. le. Farge, with a commission from the Am- 
bassador. He hardly expected to be successful in imposing on 
Zolikoff, but, to his surprise, Zolikoff upon his entering the apart- 
ment, also immediately accosted him as M. le Farge. And in- 
stantly deciding to keep up this role, he pretended to be the bearer 
of a request from the Ambassador for a conference on the follow- 
ing day at the French Ambassy. 

The interview lasted more than half an hour, during which 
time Zolikoff regaled his caller with an account of a fresh con- 
spiracy against the life of the Czar, that he Zolikoff, had dis- 
covered, resulting in the arrest of five of the conspirators. The 
Czar had desired to question him in person, concerning the plot, 
and he was to go to the palace early the following morning. Upon 
Ergonsorat ’s expressing the wish that he might be present at that 
interview, Zolikoff had craved his company. It seemed to Ergon- 
sorat as though fate had decreed that he should avenge the wrong 
done to his family. 


52 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUT) 


Caring little what the consequence might be to himself, he 
accepted the invitation, fully resolved to mete out to Alexander III 
the same fate that had overtaken his father, the former Czar. 

On his way back to his lodgings, he bethought himself of his 
intention to call on an old friend oi the family, Herr von Oulburg, 
from whom he might possibly learn something of the whereabouts 
of his mother and sisters. He did so, and for years afterwards, 
firmly believed that Providence had directed his steps. Great 
was his joy to^find awaiting him in the hands of Herr von Oulburg, 
a letter from his father. Eagerly breaking the seal, he read as 
follows : 

My Dear Son: 

Your mother and father greet you with a loving kiss and their 
benediction. 

Reproach not yourself, mf son, as the author of our unhappy 
lot, for before you have finished reading what I am about to write, 
you will know that had you never affiliated with the anti-imperial- 
ists, our fate would undoubtedly have been the same. 

The rash and foolish act of the Nihilists in taking the life of 
Alexander II. and the opportunities which this gave the enemies 
of Melikoff and myself to excite prejudice in the breast of Alexander 
III. against the ministers and advisors of his father, is alone the 
cause for our misfortune. Had they not discovered your con- 
nection with that society, some other pretext or excuse would have 
answered their purpose as well. In proof of this my son, I point 
you to many other fathers, the names of whose sons, were in- 
cluded in the list, furnished by the police. Many of them are en- 
joying the confidence and favor the the Czar. It was known that 
I was among the counselors of Alexander II. when he abolished 
the secret police, and that I had favored the action of the Czar 
in freeing the serfs. Many powerful nobles had pretended to ad- 
mire and praise Alexander II. for his acts of humanity, while 
secretly hating him, and all his advisors for the part they took in it. 
Alexander II. was a good man, who had the highest and best inter- 
ests of his subjects at heart. His assassination brought about a 
reaction that gave these nobles a change to indulge the feelings 
they had smothered so long. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


53 


I know your impetuous and generous nature, my son, and 
that if this letter never reaches you, you may go over to the Nihilists 
in the hope of aiding them to avenge the wrong and injustice to us. 
But it is the constant prayer of your mother and father that their 
last words may turn you from carrying out any such resolution, 
and that you will be able to reach such high ground that you may 
view these sad problems in their true light, the wise and just solu- 
tion of which has been retarded a quarter of a century, by the rash 
unthinking, not to say insane, conduct of just such impetuous 
young men as you, my boy. 

In this enlightened age, it matters little whether the form 
of government be autocratic' or democratic, if selfish and unprin- 
cipled men are permitted to administer it. And an enlightened 
Czar, with nothing to gain or lose, but the love of his countrymen, 
is far more likely to further the elevation and enlightenment of 
his subjects, than any government that the millions of uneducated, 
half-civilized men now subject to the Czar, would be able to es- 
tablish for themselves, should they be granted that privilege. 
The waters of a fountain cannot rise higher than their source- 
A ship, tempest tossed upon the ocean, freighted with the lives 
and destinies of children in the art of navigation, are safer to 
keep their captain at the helm, even though he be sometimes 
tyrannical, than to try to get on alone. 

But I know you are anzious to learn how we fared after you 
parted from us, that sad day. You had not been gone an hour 
when the officers came for you. We informed them that you had 
departed on a long journey, and that we did not know when you 
would return. Two days after the same officers returned with an 
order for my arrest, and a week later, I was on my way to Siberia. 
Your mother — after arranging to send your sisters to her brother 
Michael, in Paris, followed me, selling her jewels to pay her ex- 
penses. She was not permitted to see me for weeks after her 
arrival, but one day she saw and recognized Brzinski, a Pole 
who was indebted to me for his escape from conviction, as a 
Nihilist, some years before. He held the post as Captain of the 
Guard, and, when she explained to him that I was among the 
prisoners under his charge, he permitted her to visit me, and finally * 
arranged to assign me le§s arduous tasks, as my health^was rapidly 


54 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


giving way on account of exposure to the rigorous climate. After 
the change he found employment for your mother, which brought 
us daily together. 

It was remarkable how well she bore up under the trouble 
and hardship to which she was subjected. 

At this writing, however, we are both of us fast approaching 
the end of our journey, our only hope now being that neither of 
us will long survive the other. Brzinski has promised that this 
letter shall be placed in the hands of my old friend Herr von Ould- 
burg, who will take charge of it, until there is an opportunity to 
forward it to you, if your whereabouts ever become known to him. 

I have a conviction that sometime you will return to Russia, 
in quest of news of us. 

We have not heard from your sisters since you left us, but we 
trust they have heard from you. 

And now praying that God will bless and ^protect you, your 
mother and I bid you a loving farewell. 

Nicholovitch Ergonsoratkoff. 



A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


55 


CHAPTER XL 

When Ergonsorat finished reading his father’s letter, which 
he’ did with haste, he read it again carefully and considerately, then 
laying it on the table, he sat for nearly half an hour wrapped in 
deep thought. Going to the table, he once more read the letter 
until he came to the name of — Melikoff, which he carefully erased 
with his pen knife, after which he folded it, and placed it in the 
pocket of his coat. For some time he paced back and forth in his 
room, then lighting a cigar he joined Herr von Oulberg whom he 
saw' walking in the garden. Their conversation covered the hap- 
penings and events of importance that had transpired during the 
four years he had been absent from Russia. He made some in- 
quiries of Herr Oulburg concerning recent arrests, to see if the 
latter had heard anything concerning the apprehension of the five 
Nihilists mentioned by Zolikoff; but found that his companion 
had heard nothing. He retired at a late hourf and the next morn- 
ing, at the appointed time, was on hand to accompany Zolikoff. 
At the entrance of the palace, — Zolikoff exhibited the message 
from the Czar, making the appointment for a personal interview. 
The guard kept them waiting until his superior had been called to 
examine the paper. The superior at once greeted Ergonsorat as 
M. le Farge. After reading the Czar’s message he said, addressing 
Ergonsorat, “Your pardon. Monsieur, but this paper calls for the 
admission of but one person. Zolikoff then took the paper and 
'wrote on the back of it a few lines to the Czar that M. le Farge, 
secretary to the French Ambassador, had an oral message to de- 
liver to his Majesty and had accompanied him to the palace. The 
officer disappeared for a few moments and returned bidding Zoli- 
koff and Ergonsorat to accompany him, and, a few moments later 
they were alone in the presence of Alevander III. The Craz, 
greeting both cordially, bade them be seated. Then, turning to 
Ergonsorat, he inquired the nature of his message. 

Ergonsorat replied that he would wait with his Majesty’s 
permission until Hhe business with Zolikoff had been transacted 
as his message was for the Czar’s ear alone. Zolikoff looked up 


56 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


in surprise at this announcement, but, being desired by the Czar 
to proceed with a detailed statement of the information he had 
obtained that had led to the arrest of the five Nihilists, he began 
with his student life at Dorpat, explaining that he had joined a 
secret society of the students because he suspected its character 
to be revolutionary. He had done so with the thought that he 
might thereby obtain information that would be of service to his 
sovereign, and that it was he who had furnished his present chief 
with a list of the members of that society after the assassination 
of Alexander II. He named a number of his former school-fellows 
who had received life sentences and had gone to Siberia; others 
had fled the country, some of whom had returned secretly and 
had unsuspectingly confided their return to him. Through them 
he had learned of the existence of a group of Nihilists. 

Turning to Ergonsorat, after Zolikoff had passed through 
the inner gate of the entrance, Alexander exclaimed, “What a 
pity it is that we should be compelled to make use of such reptiles 
as that to guard against the plots of unfaithful subjects, — but to 
the business of the Ambassador. What message has he for me 
that he dares not trust to paper?” “I pray your Majesty to read 
this letter,” said Ergonsorat, and, as he spoke, he intently scruti- 
nized the face of the autocrat of all the Russians. When the Czar 
had finished reading he inquired, “ Is this all you have to show me? ” 
“It is,” replied Ergonsorat unconsciously betraying such feeling 
in his words that the Czar looked up quickly and their eyes met. 
“Who are you?” he exclaimed. “I am the son of the man who 
wrote that letter.” The eyes of the Craz followed the right arm 
of Ergonsorat, noticing for the first time that his hand was thrust 
into the side pocket of his blouse. With scarcely a perceptable 
start his face at first became a shade paler, then a smile crept over 
it which finally broke into an ironical laugh. “May I inquire 
what amuses your Majesty?” “Yes, your presence here. Be- 
neath these apartments to the depth of half a hundred feet is a solid 
block of masonry constructed under my own watchful eyesTwith 
all sides guarded from its foundeation by picked Swiss, French'^and 
Russian guards, who speak only their native tongue.* With the 
entrance to my presence guarded as you saw it when you entered, 
a chance resemblance between you and the secretary of the French 
Ambassador has enabled you to stand in my presence, clasping 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


57 


in your right hand, as I have no doubt, a messenger of death; 
and I was just now thinking how futile are such precautions as 
I have taken if it be the will of God that I should die /by the hand 
of an assassin. ’’“Your Majesty mistakes my intention. Last 
night, before that letter was placed in my hands, I had resolved 
to take advantage of the accidental discovery that I bore such a 
striking resemblance to M. la Farge, to avenge my father’s wrongs 
and rid my country of a tryant ; but from boyhood I have learned 
to . honor and obey my father and loved my mother devotedly ; 
they have spoken to me from their graves in Siberia, and I have 
no ohter thought since reading that letter than to do my father’s 
bidding. It is therefore to a man whose death has undoubtedly 
been caused by the horror of his imprisonment by the orders of 
his sovereign, to whom he was fidelity itself, that your life is spared ; 
but before I left my native country forever, I determined that 
you should know how he repaid the injustice done him.” “And 
has your father’s reasoning in that letter been in vain? Do you 
not see that, though men say that my power is absolute over the 
lives of a hundred and twenty millions of my fellow men, I am, 
after all, but a creature of circumstance? You heard that viper 
that has just left our presence declare that your down-fall was 
due to the information which he furnished. Was that infomration 
true?” 

“ I will answer your Majesty’s last question first. It is quite 
true that at the University I belonged to a society whose members 
were required to safeguard the interests of all in the free expression 
of their opinions, by taking an oath that they would faithfully 
keep secret the proceedings of the society. Many of the members 
were absolutey loyal to the present autocratic form of government. 
There were others who held a republic, or a limited monarchy 
like that of Great Britain, to be more desirable; I was among that 
number. There were some that were loud in their denunciations 
of the Czar, and who would occasionally throw out hints that any 
who might feel like joining the Nihilist movement could get far- 
ther information from him. The treachery and perfidy of the 
man whom your Majesty has been pleased to call a ‘viper,’ re- 
leases me from my obligation of fidelity to him. I assure you 
that he was the leading spirit among the extremists, as he was 


58 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


in all circles of students that felt free to disregard the discipline 
and rules of the university; his ability to hoodwink the faculty 
and maintain their imi^licit confidence in him, earned for him 
among the students the sobricjuet of ‘Talleyrand,’ and I have no 
more doubt that the Nihilists believe him to be faithful to them 
and their plotting than I have that he would prove treacherous 
to you if he could thereby serve his own interests.” “I fully 
agree with you, but that could never be; and, as we have nothing 
to fear except from the unripe judgment and misguided action of 
men with geirerous impulses and a willingness to sacrifice tlicir 
lives to what they deem will advance the interests of their country, 
reptiles of his stamp never play /US false. But enough.” And, 
as Alexander said this he advanced and cordialfy grasped the 
hand of Ergonsorat. ‘‘You need not answer my other cjuestion: 
I know that I can trust you, and I ‘want you to accompany me 
to interview those poor misguided Nihilists, ‘ ’saying which, Alex- 
ander touched one of the several electric buttons on his desk, and 
Ergonsorat heard the bolts of the barred inner gate released from 
their fastenings, and he doubted not that this was the signal for 
the appearance of a dark, bushy whiskered Russian about the 
size and build of the Czer. The Czar then passed into an inner 
chamber reappearing in a few moments looking so much like the 
guard who had just entered that Ergonsorat himself could hardly 
distinguish one from the other. The guard apparently understood 
what w^as wanted, for he quietly took his seat and began reading 
a book. Ergonsorat then comprehended the extent of the trust 
which the Czar was imposing in him. These men had changed 
places for the time being, and the guard and himself were probably 
the only ones admitted so unreservedly to the confidences of the 
Czar. Writing a few lines on a piece of paper, which he signed 
and sealed with his signet ring that he had removed from his hand, 
he motioned Ergonsorat to follow, and they departed to carry 
out the resolution of the Czar to interview the arrested Nihilists-. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


59 


CHAPTER XII. 

V/hen Edward reached Washington, he found a carriage 
awaiting him at the station, and at the appointed time, he was 
closeted with the President and the Secretary of War. 

As he joined Griggs after the conference, which had lasted 
nearly an hour, the expression upon his face made it evident that 
the discussion, or matters considered, had not reached a satis- 
factory conclusion. Griggs had learned to read in Edward’s face 
his various moods, and he did not remember having seen it so 
grave and thoughtful since the days when Edward was wrestling 
with the problems presented by his loss of sight. There was very 
little conversation between them on the homeward journey, and 
when he bade Edward good-night, at his home in Middlebrook, 
the same look of gravity and concern remained. 

At the supper table, Edward’s rather forced attempt at 
pleasantr}^, and his failure to recount any particulars of the con- 
ference, were immediately noticed by the Judge and Mary, who 
looked at each other significantly, but studiously avoided referring 
to the journey he had taken. At length Edward seemed to realize 
that some explanation was due to his father and sister. ^ 

“Well father,’’ said he, “I know you and Mary will very 
naturally expect me to say something about the conference I have 
had with the President and Secretary of War, but further than 
telling you that it was of a most serious, strange and important 
character, I must remain silent until the President sees fit himself 
to make the nature of it known to the public. There will be no 
impropriety, however, in saying that Ergonsorat, whom the crew 
of the Sprite saw disappear beneath the waves, is still alive, and 
that the problem with which the Secretary of War and the Presi- 
dent are wrestling, is one that, when known, will make the world 
stand aghast.” Saying which, he relapsed into the old abstracted 
manner, and soon retried to his room. 

The following morning, when he left for his office, he had 
apparently thrown off, for the time being, the burden of thought 
that was oppressing him, as his manner was much more cheerful. 
But it was still quite evident that he had reached no solution of the 
problem which had so engrossed his mind. When he reached his 
office, he found Jack Eldridge awaiting him outside the door. 


60 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


After an exchange of greetings, and they were comfortably seated 
in the^back office, Jack made known his errand. 

“You see, Ed, one good turn deserves another, as the old 
saying is. You certainly pulled us through that little difficulty 
with the railroad company, prime; and when I went in to the 
little grocery story last night, where I do my trading, I found 
Mrs. Green — she’s the woman who runs it — all broke up and crying 
over a letter she had in her hand. She explained to me what was 
up, and I said to myself here’s another rooster who needs to have 
his spurs cut. And I don’t know of anybody who can do the job 
up brown, like my old friend Ed Crawford. So here I am to tell 
the story.” 

“I’m right glad to see you, Jack. I’ve been in a sort of night- 
mare for the past thirty-six hours, and I need something to wake 
me up; for I don’t seem to be able to make any headway with a 
matter I have in hand. So, go ahead with your story.” 

“Well, you remember, old fellow, when our high-school days 
were over, and you entered college, I became a “printer’s devil,” 
in the publishing house of Curtis & Johnson. I and a chap named 
Dick Green, who started in about the same time, became chums. 
Well, Dick married one of the prettiest little women you ever set 
your eyes on, and they were that chirk and snug in a little brick 
cottage over on Vine street, that I almost envied him; and never 
a Sunday passed, that I didn’t call around and smoke a pipe with 
Dick. Dick would have it that I should be god-father to little 
Helen. That was his first baby, you know, and after that they 
had a boy — just a pair of them, as well-behaved and smart children 
as any you’d find. Well, it somehow seems like a fellow can have 
tdo much happiness in this world, and something’s got to happen 
just to even up, you know. Dick had just paid off the building 
association mortgage, leaving only eight hundred in the savings 
bank against the place. I can remember it as though it was only 
yesterday. He was that light-hearted and jolly when he was tell- 
ing me that he’d just begun to feel like he owned the place, when 
one of the neighbors children came over and asked him to lend a 
hand to lift a horse out of an old cistern it had fallen into. You 
see the cistern hadn’t been used for years, and the plank which 
covered it over got rotten, and let the horse through. Springing 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


61 


to his feet, ne snatched his hat and was gone in a minute. I fol- 
lowed, and we found that, sure enough, there was the horse down 
in the cistern, kicking and plunging like mad. Several attempts 
were made to get a rope tinder him, but it was no use.” 

Just then Bill Jenkins the owner noticed that one of the horse’s leg 
had been broken, either in the fall, or in its struggles. He at once 
decided to put an end to the sufferings of the animal and told his 
ten year old boy who was standing by, to fetch his gun. 

The boy ran off to the house and was soon seen returning \yith 
an old shot gun which, as he drew near he attempted to cock. 

Instantly there was a flash followed by a report and there lay 
poor Dick Green with his face covered with blood. We picked 
him up and carried him into the house and when the doctor arrived 
he told us that Dick would live but that he would never see any 
more for the shot from the gun had pierced both his eyes. 

It would have made your heart ache to have seen how that 
brave little ‘woman stood up under the blow, for when Dick asked 
what would become of them now, in a voice so sad and despairing 
like, she replied, assuming her old time cheerfulness and vivacity: 
“Don’t you think my dear man that I count for anything? We’el 
just have to change places, that’s all. I know a lot more than you 
think I do. ” and so she would go on, chircking him up like, some- 
times actually bringing a smile to the face of my old chum. 

“I didn’t spend those two months last summer with Uncle 
Charlie down in Jersey, for nothing. He keeps a grocery store,” 
said she turning to me, “and he used to let me wait on customers 
and before I came away he told me I was the best clerk he ever had. 
I liked it too. ” 

And so it was finally settled. The little home was sold and 
the eight hundred dollars which it brought above the mortgage 
went to fit up and stock a small grocery store down on Cherry street 

Things went pretty well for a while. She made quite a cozy 
home at the back of the store, where they lived. 

Last night when I stopped at the store on my way home to 
buy a few things Mary wanted, I found the little woman in tears 
and when I asked her what the trouble was she handed me this 
letter, explaining that a hogshead of molasses which she had ordered 
srom a New York firm had burst on its way and that the whole- 
sale house was going to make her pay for it. She hadn’t told Dick 


62 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


anything about it but just sat down and wrote to the New York 
merchant all about Dick being blind and her trying to make a living 
for him and his children and that she couldn’t possibly pay for 
anything she hadn’t had, and they had written her this letter in 
reply. 

At Edward’s request Jack read the letter. It was short 
pointed and unfeeling. The hogshead of molasses had been de- 
livered to the railroad company intact, and they held the com- 
pany’s receipt. In law, delivery to a common carrier was a de- 
livery to the consignee, as the company was the consignee’s agent. 
If the bill was not paid promptly it would be placed in the hands 
of a lawyer, etc. 

Edward smiled at the conclusion of the letter and said. “That 
is a good law, but it so happens that the law makers in our state, 
in the recently adopted code of practice, have made a provision 
that will make it very easy to dispose of this matter, ” saying which 
he called Griggs and dictated a letter to the New York firm as 
follows : 

Messers Dobson & Co. 

Gentlemen : — Your communication to Mrs. Richard Green 
is before me and the position taken by you, that the deliverance 
of goods to a common carrier is equivalent to a delivery to the con 
signee is quite correct, but happily for Mrs. Green, she is permitted 
by the laws of this State to have the common carrier made a co- 
defendant in any action you may bring against her. This will give 
you a chance to fight it out with the railroad company if you so 
desire. 

Awaiting your further pleasure, I remain, etc., etc. 

“I think this will settle the case,” said Edward, “for if I am 
not very much mistaken, the New York firm will think twice before 
proceeding any further. ” 

“I told the little woman you would do ’em up brown,’’ said 
Jack, as he thanked Edward and hurried away to relieve the anx- 
iety of Mrs. Green. 

Edward’s surmise was correct for in a few days Jack sent him 
the letter that Mrs. Green had received in reply, which stated that 
the matter had been brought to the head of the firm, who was sorry 
that his subordinate had exacted payment under such circum- 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


63 


stances. It gave him pleasure to state that they had shipped her 
another hogshead of molasses which they trusted would reach her 
all right. 

Some weeks later, Edward meeting Jack Eldridge in a street 
car, inquired how the Greens were getting on. 

“Poorly enough,” said Jack. “You see, there are a good 
miny peer people living up around their little store, and that little 
woman somehow could not have the heart to refuse to give them 
credit; and, though they are well-meaning enough, as a rule, that 
don’t pay her bills. She’s known for some time that she couldn’t 
make a success of her undertaking, and, although she’s kept it 
from Dick as long as she could, it had to come out the other day, 
when an ofideer closed up their little store with a writ of attach- 
ment, and the' landlord served a notice to quit. The agent of 
the Assoeiated Charities called on them, at the suggestion of one 
of her neighbors, who had told him that she knew that the family 
was actually in want of food. I haven’t been around very often 
of late, as, somehow, Dick didn’t seem especially pleased to see 
me. He was that proud that he didn’t want me to find out how 
badly off they were ; but when the agent of the Associated Charities 
told Dick’s wife that her little children would have to be bound 
out to strangers, her husband sent to the almshouse, and she have 
to go out to work to take care of herself, she sent for me to talk 
it over. I tell you, it was a sight to make your heart ache. There 
sat Dick, clasping his little girl in his arms so tightly that she 
looked up in wonder at the great tears that, were stealing, one 
after another, over his cheeks;, and little Tommy marching around 
with his fists doubled up, saying that bad man that made his 
papa cry, had better not come around there again; and Dick’s 
wife trying to chirk him up by telling him that she could earn 
wages enough if she could get employemnt as a cook, and that 
they shouldn’t part with Helen and Tommy yet awhile. I made 
Dick take twenty-five dollars I had saved up to ease ’em along a 
little; but you see, Ed, I’ve got quite a big family myself, and I 
was just coming around to have a talk with you and get a bit of 
advice; for, somehow, you always seemed to know just the right 
thing to do.” 


64 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


“I intended to get around and see that friend of yours before 
now,” said Edward; “but I have been so busy of late that I didn’t 
quite manage it, and if you will come around after me when you 
get through work tomorrow night, I will wait over and go with 
you. I have a notion that your friend can be brought out of his 
predicament by his own efforts, and if I can make him see it as 
I do, we may succeed in getting him on his feet again.” 

Just then the car reached the corner where Edward ex- 
pected to alight, and, shaking hands with Jack, he accompanied 
Griggs to the office. 

In the morning, after Edward had looked over the mail, he 
asked Griggs to accompany him to the office of the American, 
where there was a job-printing plant in addition to the regular 
newspaper office. Willie Nolan, who was still in the employ of 
the American, was surprised and delighted to receive a call from 
Edward, and when Edward explained to him that he had come 
over to take a look at the printing business, he took him in 
and introduced him to the foreman of the job-printing department. 
Edward explained that he desired to observe the working of the 
presses and other machinery they employed, to see if there was 
anything about the work that a person could do without seeing. 
The foreman laughed incredulously, but observing that Edward 
was serious, he led the way to a small Golding press and explained 
its operation. While he was feeding it himself, he turned his 
head several times so as to look at Edward who was standing 
almost back of him. The second time he did so, Edward inquired 
if he had just printed something. 

“I mean,” he said, “while you were looking at me?” 

“Why, yes,” said the foreman. 

“But you could not have been looking at what your hands 
were doing, and at the same time look into my face where I am 
standing.” 

“That’s so,” said the foreman, whereupon Edward eagerly 
requested him to stop the press and let him feel it over. 

Edward soon discovered for himself the exact operation of 
printing. His hands passing over the little movable table or platin, 
as it is called, came upon three pins sticking out of the pad of 
paper which covered it. .Inquiring what they were for, the fore- 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


65 


man replied. 

'‘Those are the gauge pins. When we have made the type 
ready, we put in this little iron frame you see here, which is called 
the chase, and set it in its place in this upright part of the press. 
Then we “make ready” as we call it, by putting sheets of paper 
over the platin, pasting one over another until we have made 
the pad of sufficient thickness; then we start up the press this way. 
Now you see that the little table we call the platin is moving 
upward, just as the cover of a book would move upward if you 
closed it after placing it in a position like this press; that is, stand- 
ing on its back with the cover let down towards you. When the 
platin comes in contact with the type, an impression is made on 
the pad, and we see by that just where that impression will strike 
every time. Now, we could place the paper that we wish to 
print in just the right position on this pad by making a mark 
around this impression, at the right distance from the printing, so 
that the person feeding the press could tell just where to place the 
paper each time but the paper would not stay in its place, so we place 
two gauge pins at the back and one at the left, in such a position 
that when the paper to be printed comes up snug against these 
pins, it will stay there until the impression is taken and it is taken 
away by the pressman.” 

While the foreman was explaining, Edward had been putting 
postal cards in the position and taking them away himself. Each 
time perceiving very readily, by the sense of touch, when the 
cards came up snug against the pins, as the foreman had said. 
He also noticed that as the table or platin moved upwards, when 
the press was in operation, there would be ample warning to 
a person without sight, when to take away his hands. A certain 
click of the press readily told him when the platin was once more 
in position to take off a card and put on another. He was so 
overjoyed with his discovery that he could hardly wait until the 
foreman could get matters arranged so that he could try feeding 
the press himself. The press was, of course, run very slowly at 
first, but as soon as his hands got accustomed to the motion, he 
readily perceived that a blind person, with practice, could, in all 
probability, feed the press as fast as any seeing person; fof the 
pressman himself had been running the press at a fast speed, and 


66 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


practically feeding without looking at his hands, being uncon- 
sciously guided by the sense of touch rather than by the sense of 
sight. 

Edward was next taken to the table where several girls were 
folding sheets into book form — getting them ready to be bound. 
It took him but a few moments to ascertain that a blind person 
could readily do this work; for, by taking hold of the right edge of 
the sheet with his right hand, and bringing it over against the 
thumb and fingers of his^left hand so that he could ascertain by 
the sense of touch when the corners of the sheet were together, 
then holding the paper tightly with his left fingers in that position, 
and brushing his right hand back over the surface, he found that 
he could make an even crease at the back. Then, by turning the 
sheets with the pressed crease towards him, he could repeat the 
operation as many times as was required to make it ready for the 
process of binding. 

He was next shown the wire binding machine, or stitcher, as 
it is called. This ingenious little machine he found to be so simple 
in its operation, that a blind person could become an expert 
binder fully as quickly as a person with sight. It consisted simply 
of a steel table with a raised rim at the back and a row of little 
holes in a line from the right to the left edge, into which steel 
pins were fitted at the right and left. In the center, just reaching 
over the back rim, was a steel arm, much like that of an ordinary 
sewing machine. The pamphlet prepared for binding was placed 
on the table, with its back pressed up against the raised rim. 

If it was to be stitched (as is usual), about an inch below 
the top, and the same distance above the bottom, the steel pegs 
would be placed in the holes in such a position, that, by shoving 
the book first to the right and then to the left, it would be stopped 
just in the right position to receive the stitches required. 

Although the machine was attached by a belt to a revolving 
shaft, it was not thrown into operation until the foot of the operator 
was placed on a lever ; so that the whole operation was simply 
placing a book on a table ; shoving it up into the right hand corner 
formed by the rim at the back, and the right steel post ; touching 
the foot to the lever for an instant; then sliding the book across 
to the left hand corner, until it touched the left steel post; then 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


67 


touching the lever once more with the foot, and the book was bound 
ready for the trimmer. 

The foreman, so skeptical at firsts readily admitted all of Ed- 
ward's claims; but said that, of couse, sight would be required to 
make ready and oversee this work if it was to be attempted by 
blind people. This was readily conceded, and Edward after thank- 
ing the foreman, for his courtesy, rejoined Willie Nolan in the 
reporters room. 

“Do you know," said Willie, “while you were in the press 
room, the idea occurred to me that as the blind readily learn to 
play upon the piano and operate typewriters, I don't see why 
they couldn't manipulate the keyboard of our Simplex type-setting 
machine." And upon Edward's request, he was shown into the 
composing room, where the Unitype Company's compact little 
machine was being operated by two young ladies. 

When Edward examined this machine, he said, “I see but 
one difficulty here in the way of a blind person's being an expert 
type setter." 

“And what is that," said Willie. 

“Reading his copy." 

“But couldn't the person who does the justifying do that for 
him, leaving him free to give his whole attention to the operation 
of the keyboard ? " 

“Capital — just the thing." 

Edward's enthusiasm, when he left the office of The American, 
knew no bounds. He could hardly wait until Jack came for him. 

Two weeks later, Dick Green was regularly installed as an 
employee in the job-printing department of the American. It had 
only taken a few evenings instruction, after work hours, which Ed- 
ward arranged for, and an application to Mrs. Simpson, the propri- 
etor, whose interest was immediately enlisted, to bring sunshine, 
gladness and prosperity into the home of the Greens. 


68 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER XIII. 

As Ergonsorat and the Czar reached the sidewalk, the latter 
hailed a droskie, and they were driven rapidly to the prison where 
the five Nihilists were confined. Inquiry being made for the cap- 
tain of the guard, they were shown into his apartment and told to 
await his pleasure, as he was then engaged. They had no sooner 
taken their seats than they overheard the voice of a woman in an 
adjoining room, pleading and beseeching for permission to have an 
interview with her brother. 

The reply came stern and decided, — '‘My orders are to allow 
no one to interview the prisoners,” — and a moment later the door 
opened, and the young girl, her fair face stained with tears, and ex- 
pressing unutterable despair, came out and would have passed on 
through the room and out into the street, but as her hand was on 
the knob of the outer door, Ergonsorat’s companion spoke to the 
captain of the guard, saying, ” I would have speech with that young 
woman.” The tone of authority arrested the steps of the young 
woman, and the captain; the latter turning with a look of annoy- 
ance and surprise, inquired, — 

‘ ‘ For what purpose ? ' ' 

“That is no concern of yours sir! It is sufficient that I wish 
to speak to her’ ” saying which the Czar handed him the note he had 
written before leaving the palace which read : 

“The bearer of this is acting under my orders; obey him as 
you would me. — Alexander. ” 

The moment the captain saw the seal of the Czar, his manner 
underwent a sudden change, and bowing obsequiously he bade the 
young woman remain. 

“Leave us alone and see that there are no eavesdroppers,” 
commanded the Czar. 

Instantly the captain left the apartment, giving orders to the 
guard of the outer door to occupy another post, and allow no one 
to enter. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


69 


'‘Be seated, madam,’’ said the Czar, “and tell its your errand 
here.’’ 

The look upon the girl’s face was replaced by one more hope- 
ful. Turning, she dropped upon her knees in front of the Czar 
exclaiming, “Oh, sir! I beseech you to let me see my brother, my 
only brother, before he is parted from me forever. ’’ 

The Czar, in a kindly Voice bade her arise, and be seated, say- 
ing, “You shall see your brother, and it shall be for him to say 
whether you shall be parted from him forever. ’’ 

' Her amazement and sudden joy for a moment overcame her, 
but only for a moment. 

“Oh, sir!’’ she exclaimed, “whoever you are, our mother and 
father in Heaven will bless you for those words. He is only a boy, 
and whatever he may have done under the influence of others, I can 
assure you, sir, that his life has been blameless heretofore.’’ 

“I observe that though you speak our language well, you are 
not a Russian. ’’ 

“No, sir! my brother and I are of Italian parents, though the 
most of our life has been spent in St. Petersburg. We are the 
children of Giovanni Francesca. ’’ 

“What, the painter?’’ said the Czar. 

“Oh, sir, did you know my father? ’’ 

“Yes, my child, I knew him well, and it pains me much to 
think that a son of Giovanni Francesca should be found plotting 
against the life of the Czar. 

“Oh, sir, my brother was always gentle and kind, and I cannot 
imagine such a thing as his being in a plot to take the life of the 
Czar. He well knew that my father and the late Czar were the 
best of friends and that we owed everything to his generosity and 
patronage. After mother and father’s death I pled with my 
brother to go back to Italy with me where our grandparents still 
lived and he promised to do so just as soon as he had finished his 
studies in the University; and he was to have graduated this very 
year. Oh, sir, I am sure some one has made a great mistake, for 
I never heard him speak otherwise than sorrowfully of the assassina- 
tion of Alexander II.’’ 

“Cease your weeping my child; I feel confident we shall find 
that he is not a hardened Nihilist, but an impetuous boy who 


70 


ARIFT INTHEaOUD 


has allowed himself to be influenced by older heads, and has got 
into bad company. I promise you to save him if I can, so please 
go into the adjoining room and remain there until after I have had 
an interview with him. ” 

Saying which, the Czar requested Ergonsorat to call the captain 
of the guard, and when the latter entered he was directed to sum- 
mon the governor of the prison, who soon made his appearance. 

After the Czar had shown him the note bearing his own sig- 
nature and seal, the governor replied: 

“M. Nicholivich, I await your orders."' 

A smile of satisfaction appeared on the face of the Czar as he 
was thus addressed. Surely, if so shrewd a man as the governor 
of the prison was so readily imposed upon by his disguise, there 
was little chance of its being penetrated by anyone else. 

“I wish to have an interview with one of the five Nihilists 
committed to your charge," said the Czar. “I refer to a young 
Italian whose name is Francesca. " 

The governor bowed and retired. Presently the clank of 
chains was heard, and a handsome youth heavily ironed was 
brought into the room by two prison guards. 

“ Remove the irons, " said the Czar. 

A look of surprise came over the faces of the guards, and one 
of them turned to the governor who had just entered the apart- 
ment 

“This is most extraordinary, M. Nicholivich," said the gov- 
ernor* 

“ I am executing the orders of the Czar. Is not that sufficient? 
Would you like to read this note once more?" 

The voice and manner of the speaker had assumed such au- 
thority that the governor hastened to apologize, and the guards, 
at a sign from him, removed the irons from the prisoner. 

“Leave him alone with us!" was the Craz’s next order, which 
was immediately obeyed. But the clanking of arms and rush of 
feet along the corridors showed that the guards had been hasily 
stationed so as to cover every possible egress. Turning to Senior 
Francesca, he exclaimed: — 

“ How comes it that the son of Giovanni Francesca seeks to 
take the life of the Czar?" 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


1 \ 


You assume what has not yet been proven, proudly replied 
the young man. 

The Czar took from his pocket a paper which had been fur- 
nished him by the chief of the secret service and handed it to the 
young man to read. As his eye glanced over this paper his face 
blanched, but with compressed lips and a resolute look, he returned 
it without comment. 

“Is any further proof required?” querried the Czar. 

“With such proof, why question me?” 

“Have you no desire to live?” 

“ Not if my companions are to die. ” 

‘ ‘ Suppose that it is the will of the Czar that you all live. It 
so happens, Senior Francesca, that the Czar has been informed as 
fully as you could inform him just how you five young men 
were induced to place your signatures upon that paper which I 
showed you. Have you not wondered why six arrests were not 
made instead of five? — Oh, I forgot, you probably do not knowhow 
many of your companions have been apprehended. Would 
the son of Giovanni Francesca still bear enmity to the Czar if he 
should give back to you the life you have forfeited, attaching to 
his clemency but one condition, which is that you take a solemn 
oath that you will immediately leave Russia, never to return and 
that each of your companions be given the same chance to become 
wiser men?” 

For a moment the young man hesitated as though questioning 
his reason whether there was aught dishonorable in accepting his 
life under these conditions. At length he quietly responded. 

“ I will take such an oath. ” 

“Very well,” said the Czar. “There is someone in the next 
apartment who desires to speak with you, ” saying which, the Czar 
led the way and Ergonsorat heard the exclamation of joy as the 
sister beheld her brother. Thus, one after another, the four other 
Nihilists were examined, until all were seated in the apartment 
occupied by Senior Francesca and his sister. Each in his turn 
had refused to speak any word that might be considered disloyal 
to the others, and, after the last man had passed out of his presence 
the Czar turned to Ergonsorat exclaiming: 

‘ ‘ I would give more to be enthroned in the hearts of such men 


72 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


than for all the safeguards which man’s ingenuity can invent for 
my protection. Now I ask a service at your hands. Go into that 
room; tell those men your story and read them your father’s letter. 
You can remain with them until I return.” Saying which, the 
Czar passed out where he found the governor, who was nervously 
pacing up and down in the corridor. “M. Moszkowski, I am not 
surprised tliat you are perplexed and troubled at what must seem 
to you inexplicable, and I shall not presume to give the final order 
of release of your prisoners until I have made my report to the 
Czar and brought back to you his ratification of my action. ” 

At these words the troubled expression left the face of the gov- 
ernor and, advancing with extended hand, he exclaimed: 

”I must thank you most sincerely for your consideration M. 
Nicholivich. I doubt not your desire to earry out the wishes of the 
Czar, but I confess I feared that his Majesty might not have intend- 
ed quite so much responsibility to rest with a single man. ” 

The Czar shook the extended hand of the governor saying, 
” I wonder not, but I will be back within an hour and quiet all your 
apprehensions. ” 

An hour had not passed when he re-entered the office of the 
jail accompanied by the chief of the secret service, who, saluting 
the governor, placed a sealed package in his hands. Breaking the 
seal, the governor found that it contained a pardon for each of the 
accused, on condition that they each take a solemn oath to leave 
Russia and never return without written permission of the Czar. 

“Once more I thank you M. Nicholivich.” said M. Moszkow- 
ski, and, bowing, he led the way into the apartment where Ergon- 
sorat and the others were still engaged in conversation. After the 
jailer had read over the pardon and its condition to each, he asked 
them if they were ready to fulfil that condition, and, receiving 
their assent, a Bible was brought in and the oath taken in the usual 
form, the governor taking the precaution to have the form written 
out and signed by each. He then notified them that they were 
at liberty to depart when they chose. All shook hands with the 
Czar, Ergonsorat, and the governor, and passed out, their faces 
beaming with joy at their deliverance. After all had departed, 
the Craz turned to Ergonsorat and handed him a paper. It con- 
tained a formal pardon for all offences and an order restoring to 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


73 


him the conficsated estate of his father, saying: 

“Permit me, so far as it lies in my power to undo the wrong 
that has been done you and yours. Is it your intention to remain 
in Russia?” 

“I hardly know. I have lived years in the past twenty-four 
hours, and I must have time to think. With your Majesty’s per- 
mission, I will return to the house of my friend and tomorrow you 
shall receive the result of my interview with these men whom you 
have so generously forgiven; but before I received this paper, I 
had forgiven you with my whole heart and I only wish all my fel- 
low-conutrymen knew their sovereign as I know him.” Saying 
which, he bowed and kissed the hand which the Czar had extended 
in parting. 

“M. Ergonsoratkoff , ” said he, “when next it is your pleasure 
to wait upon the Czar, you will find him as willing and as ready to 
admit you to his presence as he was to admit the secretary of the 
French Ambassador. ” 

Surely if any man had undergone a sudden revulsion of feeling, 
Ergonsorat was that man. ^ _ 


74 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER XIV. 

One day as Edward was seated alone in his office, a lady en- 
tered whose voice bespoke a kind and gentle nature, for he had 
already begun to make up his estimate of people by that far more 
sure index to the blind of disposition and character, than is the 
physiogomy to the seeing. 

Although nature writes pretty plainly upon the face the char- 
acteristic traits and lives of persons, the face is far from being a 
sure guide, as is often proven true by the discovery that a trusted 
public servant has been for years unworthy of the trust imposed 
in him. 

Tricks that may be played with the face, are seldom, if ever, 
resorted to by the voice, and Edward had quickly learned to dis- 
tinguish between the frank and candid voice of an honest witness, 
who, either fearlessly, or tremblingly, seeks to speak the truth, 
and the studied voice of a cool and calculating person, who, watch- 
ful and alert though he might be to make his statements tally with 
one another, yet nevertheless fails in disclosing that all essential 
quality of voice, which to those who are entirely dependent upon 
the sense of hearing, marks the dividing line that distinguishes the 
honest man from the rogue. 

“Be seated, madam,” said Edward. 

“Thank you. I have long wanted to know you Mr. Crawford, ” 
said the lady. “My name is Mayfair, and I have called to invite 
you to my home tomorrow night to meet a number of blind people 
in whom I am interested. They will all be so glad to meet you, 
and I desir.e it so very much, I earensetly hope you will find it con- 
venient to be present. 

“We hope to have a real sociable and enjoyable evening of 

it.” 

“I shall certainly do myself the honor to be present,” said 
Edward, and I thank you for affording me this opportunity. ” 

“That is very kind of you, I am sure. I knew you were a 
busy man, and feel that I am most fortunate to find you disen- 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


75 


gaged for that evening. 

Noticing that Edward was engaged in writing on what appear- 
ed to be a type-writer, with only seven keys, she wondered what 
kind of a machine it could be, and asked him to explain its opera- 
tion to her. 

‘‘This,’' said Edward, “is a Hall Braille-writer. Three keys 
at the right and left of centre key, operate needles which puncture 
the paper on which I am writing, thereby raising little points, per- 
ceptible to the touch. The centre key is what is known as the 
spacer. I incert the paper between these two rollers on the car- 
riage, this part of the arrangement being in every way similar to 
a type-writer. The carriage moves each time one or more keys 
are pressed and released, just as the carriage of the type-writer 
moves after the pressure of a key. The Braille characters are 
formed by a combination of these little points. Thus, pressing 
the first key left of the spacer, I raise a point in the upper left hand 
corner of what is known as the Braille-cell, and produce the letter 
“a.” By pressing the first and second keys to the left, and the 
farthest key to the right of the spacer simultaneously, I raise three 
points in the next cell, which form the letter “ b, ’’ and so on through 
the alphabet. 

“Thus you see, through the inventive genius of Mr. Hall, the 
blind are provided with a complete and satisfactory writing ma- 
chine. It is a great improvenient over the old system of making 
these points one by one, with a stylus, through paper laid over the 
old fashioned Braille-tablet.’’ 

“I am delighted to know this Mr. Crawford, and I cannot tell 
you how pleased I am to have met you. ’’ 

“The pleasure is mutual, I am sure,’’ replied Edward, who, 
noticing that she had risen to go, arose and extended his hand. 
The firm and cordial pressure which it received, bsepoke energy, 
or perhaps we should say, the quality of enduring, and patient 
perseverance, not to be discovered in the somewhat diffident and 
retiring manner of this lady who was destined to play a very im- 
portant part in his after life, nor were his first impressions ever 
shaken by years of such close friendship, as comes to those who 
labor earnestly and persistently to second each others efforts in 
the cause of justice and humanity. 


76 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


I can give no better description of Mrs. Mayfair than that 
given by Edward some years after this interview when claims upon 
him had necessitated his residence in the Capital of the nation. 
One day as we were conversing over the events of the past few 
years and this lady’s name was mentioned, he exclaimed. “Do 
you know Doctor that whenever I think of Mrs. Mayfair I always 
associate her in my mind with Florence Nightingale, Dorothy Dicks 
and Clara Barton. Unlike any of these in all respects, her charac- 
ter impresses me as embodying the highest and best qualities of 
each. When I think of her entering the abode of misery, want and 
dissipation and rescuing therefrom little blind children whose 
little bodies were emaciated and whose infant faces bore the traces 
of the suffering and neglect to which they had been exposed, and 
taking them into her own beautiful and happy home, transfoim- 
ing them by her love, tenderness and care, into the merry, light- 
hearted, bright children now to be found romping and playing 
about the grounds of the Kindergarten she has founded, with the 
aid and cooperation of others whose interest she has succeeded in 
enlisting, her presence everywhere was welcome as roses plucked 
from a garden fragrent with the morning dew, my ideal of the 
beauty and goodness of woman’s mission on this earth is realized. ” 
I can add nothing to this tribute which Edward gave to this lady, 
but my knowledge of what she has accomplished gives her a place 
in the galaxy of noble women with whom he associated her. But 
to go back to the social gathering of young blind geople at the heme 
of Mrs. Mayfair to which Edward had been invited. How can I 
describe to people to whom blindness is associated with funerial 
rites, awful calamities and misery in its most disheartening as- 
pect the enjoyment of that evening? Well I can do no better 
than to take Edward’s own description of it. “Why doctor!” 
he exclaimed, “It was one of the jolliest evenings I ever spent. 
Just imagine a room full of bright, witty, annimated young people 
brim full of fun and laughter, with not the faintest hint that any- 
thing was amiss, and you will get the best picture of that evening 
which I can give. People stay away from institutions for the blind 
exclaiming, “Oh, I can’t bear to see the poor things!” but God 
has given these blind children hearts filled with mirth and spirits 
overflowing with annimation. They seem really to be like little 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


77 


spirits basking in the sunlight of a kind that lights up the soul 
and banishes from their lives even those little ills and annoyances 
whiph send the little children who can see, grieving, to their 
mothers for consolation and already their “foster mother” as 
they all call Mrs. Mayfair, is beginning to reap the harvest of her 
unselfish devotion to their interests. There is, however, a great 
shadow, the gloom of which she, and those associated with her 
are endeavoring to dispell. These bright, happy children are all 
looking forward to a glad and useful life, but this good lady knows 
that until philanthropy in this great and progressive nation of 
ours has come into a realization of the truth concerning the pos- 
sibilities for the blind, these children, when they reach manhood 
and womanhood must meet with the same chilling, disheartening 
experience which the graduates of these noble institutions for the 
blind have always met with, just as soon as they cross the thres- 
hold and enter this great busy, selfish world of ours, where even 
the blind are pushed aside and ignored, just as they were nineteen 
hundred years ago by the multitude that followed our Saviour 
on his journey from Jericho to Jerusalem. Their only hope will 
lie in their cry being heard by the followers of the Master, just as 
He, amid all the turmoil and confusion, heard with a compassionate 
ear, the cries of the two blind men standing by the wayside. 


78 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER XV. 

Upon reaching the house of Herr von Oulburg, Ergonsorat 
went immediately to his room to think over the occurrences of 
the day. Could he, now that he and his family had been restored 
to favor, assume the roll of a Russian noble, and perhaps by de- 
grees, lose his horror of the cruelty and injustice so often meted 
out to his fellow countrymen? Was it possible that the restora- 
tion of his estates and the title his father had borne would influ- 
ence him in his estimate of human rights and human wrongs? 
Surely, if he allowed himself to be guided by th^se incentives of 
self-interest which to so large an extent influenced the conduct and 
action of mankind in general, there would be no question but 
that the wisest course for him to pursue would be to get back into 
the garment that he had outgrown and join the ranks of those who 
live and thrive upon the groans and sufferings of the oppressed. 
The bare thought that he could be thus suddenly metamorphosed 
into the thing which but yesterday he had hated with all his soul, 
was repugnant to him. He believed what his father had written 
that Russia with its millions of ignorant and semi-barbarous people 
would in a Democratic or Republican form of government stand 
no chance of bettering their condition so long as an aristocracy, 
holding the wealth and possessing the brain and intelligence of 
the empire was influenced by selfish motives. He now saw that 
it mattered little to Russia what name was given to the form of 
government under which her people groaned, so long as the doc- 
trine of the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God and 
the principles of humanity that prompt the rendering, not the 
exaction of service, found no abiding place in the hearts of those 
who shaped her destiny. 

He recalled what the Czar had said about his being a creature 
of circumstance and he realized fully the folly of which the Nihil- 
ists were guilty in taking the life of Alexander II., for, if a Czar 
whose heart impulses had always been to elevate his people, had 
been curbed and circumscribed by the untamed selfishness and 
unrestrained desires of a so-called nobility, what could be accom- 
plished by the assassination of such a man? He, Ergonsorat, 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


79 


could not remain and play the hypocrite, for his detestation of the 
part played by Zolikoff to serve his own interest was so great that 
he could not think of employing the aid of such duplicity, even 
in the cause of humanity. He longed to rejoin his sisters who 
were in Paris and at the same time he pitied the Czar and his heart 
yearned to aid him; for he now believed him to be wholly sincere 
in his desire to merit the love and confidence of his people. Yes, 
he would do it! He had heard and believed that in Paris there 
was a group of exiled Nihilists who were constantly plotting 
against the life of the Czar. If he could get them to listen to him ; 
if they would only allow him to read them his father’s letter, 
surely this would be something gained. 

His conversation with Herr von Oulburg on the following 
morning had turned upon the subject of the life and efforts of 
Count Tolstoi to better the condition of peasant life in Russia, 
and the hopelessness of the effort of one man, even with a princely 
fortune at his command, to make any material progress in alleviat- 
ing the sufferings, or steming the tide of the evil and degradation , 
so prevalent in such a swarming, huddled mass of growling creatures 
Herr von Oulburg, taking a volume of Tolstoi’s writings from his 
library shelves, read an autobiographical sketch to which Ergon- 
sorat listened with interest. It ran as follows : 

“Let us iniagine people of the affluent class (for clearness’ 
sake, say a man and a woman, husband and wife, brother and sis- 
ter), who have vividly realized the sin of a luxurious and idle life, 
lived amidst people crushed by work and want. They have left 
the town. If these people have renounced the advantages and 
pleasures of life which town and money gave them, they have done 
so only because they acknowledge men to be brothers — equal be- 
fore their Father. Not equals in ability, or, if you please, in worth! 
but equals in their rights to live, and to all that life can give. 

“It may be possible to doubt the equality of people when we 
look at adults, each with a different past, but doubt becomes im- 
possible when we see children. Why should this boy have watch- 
ful care and all the assistance knowledge can give to assist his 
physical and mental development, while that other charming child, 
of equal, or better promise, is to become rickety, crippled, or dwarf- 


80 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


ed from lack of milk, and to grow up illiterate, wild, hampered by 
superstitions, a man representing merely so much brute labor- 
power? 

“Surely, if people have left town life, and have settled, as 
these have, to live in the village, it is only because they, not in 
words only, but in very truth, believe in the brotherhood of man, 
and intend, if not to realize, at least to begin realizing it in their 
lives. And just this attempt to realize it must, is they are sincere, 
inevitably bring them to a terrible position. 

“With their habits (formed from childhood upwards) of order, 
comfort, and especially of cleanliness, they, on moving to the vil- 
lage, after buying or hiring a hut, cleared it of insects, perhaps 
even papered it themselves, and installed some remains, not lux- 
urious but necessary, of their furniture, say an iron bedstead, a 
cupboard, and a writing-table. And so they begin living. At 
first the folks shun them, expecting them, (like other rich people) 
to defend their advantages by force, and therefore do not approach 
them with requests and demands. But presently, bit by bit, the 
disposition of the newcomers gets known; they themselves offer 
disinterested services, and the holdfast and most impudent of the 
villagers find out practically that these newcomers do not refuse 
to give, and that one can get something out of them. 

“Thereupon, all kinds of demands on them begin to spring 
up, and constantly increase. A process begins comparable to the 
subsidence and running down to a level of the grains in a heap. 
They settle down till there is no longer any heap rising above the 
average level. 

“Besides the begging, natural demands to divide up what 
they have more than others possess make themselves h^ard, and, 
apart from these demands, the new settlers themselves, being al- 
ways in close touch with the village folk, feel the inevitable neces- 
sity of giving from their superfluity until they have only as much 
left as each one (say as the average man) ought to have ; there 
is no possible definition of this ‘average’ — no way of measuring 
the amount which each one should have ; there is no stopping, for 
crying want is always around them, and they have a surplus com- 
pared to this destitution, 

“It seems necessary to" keep a glass of milk; but Matrena has 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


8 ( 


two un weaned babies who can find no milk in their mother’s breast, 
and a two-year-old child which is on the verge of starvation. 
They might keep a pillow and a blanket, so as to sleep as usual 
after a busy day; but a sick man is lying on a coat full of lice, 
and freezes at night, being covered only with bark-matting. They 
would have kept tea and food, but had to give it to some old pil- 
grims who were exhausted. At least it seemed right to keep the 
house clean, but beggar-boys came and were allowed to spend the 
night, and again lice bred, after one had just got rid of those picked 
up during a visit to the sick man. 

“Where and how can one stop? The fact is, no point of stop- 
page exists. Having worked all day, these people return home; 
having no longer a bed or a pillow, they sleep on some straw they 
have collected, and after a supper of bread, they lie down to sleep. 

It is Autumn. Rain is falling, mixed with snow. Some one 
knocks at the door. Should they open it? A man enters wet and 
feverish. What must they do? Let him have the dry straw? 
There is no more dry, so either they must drive away the sick man, 
or let him, wet as he is, lie on the floor, or give him the straw. 

“Where can one draw the line?’’ 

When Herr von Oulburg had finished reading, he looked into 
the face of Ergonsorat, and saw an expression of bewildered sad- 
ness, akin to weariness. 

“Who is responsible for this picture of wretchedness? From 
whence shall come the Hercules who shall cleanse the Augean ' 
stables?’’ 

As Ergonsorat said these words, he was contrasting in his mind, 
the pictures of rural life in that part of the old world that is gov- 
erned by the great Republic of America. The snug farm house, 
the well filled barns, the rosy cheeked, warmly clad children, with 
their joyous shouts as they wended their way to the trim, comfor- 
table school-house, and he seemed to gather, as if by inspiration, 
thoughts which formed themselves into a key that could be used 
in the hands of intelligent. God-fearing people to unlock the doors 
of the prison-house of ignorance, vice and filth, which held these 
wretched creatures fast. 

He saw and understood, that not the will of the Czar could 
change these conditions until such of his people as were above and 


82 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


apart from this wretched suffering were ready to concern them- 
selves with the problems to be solved, and cooperate with him in 
their solution, and again he saw that the Nihilists who took the 
life of Alexander 11. were as ignorant of the true solution as the 
wild beast that tore and lacerated the hand put forth to succor it. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


83 


CHAPTER XVr. 

Two weeks later a company consisting of seven persons, two 
of whom were a lady and her maid, one a beardless youth and the 
other four young men under the middle age, could have been seen 
alighting from cabs in front of a square, red brick house in the Rue 
de Ribola in the Italian quarter of a certain large and well known 
city of France. They were evidently expected, as the front door 
of the house was thrown open by a matronly-looking lady who was 
very demonstrative in her reception — especially noticable was the 
warmth of her greeting given to the young lady. Scrutinizing the 
jaces of the members of this party, we should have no difficulty 
in recognizing the five Nihilist exiles and the sister of Francesca. 
It had been arranged between this party of travelers and Ergon- 
serat that he should precede them several days and arrange for 
their accommodation when they should reach their destination, 
and the matronly-looking lady was Olinka Ergonsoratkoff, the 
eldest sister of Ergonsorat, who was so overjoved at the recovery 
and restoration of her brother that her gratitude overfiowed and 
encompassed all who had in any way contributed to form the chain 
of circumstances which had been instrumental in bringing it about. 
Ergonsorat had told her his story, and his enthusiasm and earnest- 
ness when he described Tessa Francesca and related the part she 
had taken in the liberation of her brother, had enabled Olinka to 
discern that which was not yet wholly apparent to Ergonsorat 
himself; and when she extended her greetings to Tessa that young 
lady felt that a near and dear sister could not have given her a 
more cordial and loving reception. Directing a servant to show 
the male portion of the party to the apartments prepared for them 
and informing Tessa’s maid where to bestow the light luggage, they 
had brought with them, Olinka drew Tessa into her own apartment 
and after removing her travel-stained outer garments and insisting 
upon her drinking a cup of hot chocolate, told her she must lie 
down, tucked her away in her own cosy bed with an injunction that 


84 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


she must lie there and rest until that tired, weary look should be 
banished from her sweet face. Pressing her fingers over Tessa’s 
eyelids, she gave her a sisterly kiss. 

“You must know, my dear, that I am a little selfish because I 
want you to look as refreshed and lovely as a rosebud when that 
dear brother of mine, whom God has given back to us from the 
dead, returns. You see men never can keep their secret if they 
are in love, and though he has not told me a word, I know from the 
light in his eyes, the earnestness of his voice, and the wave of color 
that came into his face when he was telling me all about you, that 
Cupid’s shaft had not flown amiss of his mark. ’’ 

As she said this Olinka looked inquiringly into Tessa’s face, 
and weary and tired though it was, she read in it what she had 
earnestly hoped to find, and, kissing her once more, left her to fall 
into a sweet and restful slumber in which she dreamed that her 
own dear mother had come back to earth from Heaven and was 
sheltering her in her arms. Olinka, with a heart full of joy at her 
discovery that the pretty, delicate Tessa had been more than glad 
to hear of Ergonsorat’s admiration, went about her preparations 
for the entertainment of her guests, singing as she had been wont 
to sing before the cloud of sorrow had burst upon her Russian home, 
separating her at once and, as she thought, forever, from her father, 
mother and brother. When she had seen that all were provided 
with the refreshment she had prepared for them and each had re- 
tired to his room to rest, she seated herself by the bay window 
which overlooked the well kept garden walled in from the busy 
bustle of the city’s eager, aggressive life, and thought how much 
like her own dear sister, who had joined father and mother on the 
other shore, this slight, delicate, lovable child was, now so near to 
her. Had her Heavenly Father remembered her at last? Was 
she, whose life had recently been so sad and full of weariness, now 
to have it gladdened by the love and companionship of a dear, 
strong, handsome brother, and a sweet, trusting, and confiding 
little sister? Her happiness and gratitude knew no bounds, and 
going out into the garden, she began to pick flowers with which to 
adorn the table at their evening meal, resolving that, for that night 
at least, Tessa and her brother should share with Ergonsorat and 
herself their evening meal in her own cosy little sitting room. And 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


85 


so it came about that while their other guests were duly cared for 
by the attendants, Olinka’s programme was carried out to the de- 
light and satisfaction of all concerned. Ergonsorat, upon his 
return, entered into the spirit of the occasion fully responsive to 
the glad and overflowing heart of his sister, with the feeling that 
now for the first time since the breaking up of the old home circle 
he was supremely happy. 


86 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER XVII. 

It was the day of all days at the Bodwih Institute for the 
Blind. Many hearts were beating wdth anxious excitement. The 
last rehearsal had taken place the previous afternoon in Bodwin 
Temple. The brass band, composed of twenty young blind boys, 
whose ages varied from fourteen to eighteen,had aquitted itself 
with great credit, and the various undergraduates who were to take 
part in the exercises had vied with each other in competition with 
her graduating class to win the prize open to all competitors for 
the best essay. For more than twenty years the custom had pre- 
vailed of alternating the gift of the highest class honors first to the 
boys and then to the girls; and this year the valedictory was to 
be delivered by Miss Alice Brainard. It had been conceded that 
Alice, who was a favorite with both her teachers and her classmates, 
woud carry off this prize. An absolutely fair and just method 
had been employed in making the selection. The essays of all the 
aspirants had been handed over to judges who were unacquainted 
with the pupils. The Braille characters employed had no charac- 
teristic marks by which the writer could be distinguished. But 
the essay that Miss Alice had handed in had nevertheless won for 
her the distinction she had labored earnestly to obtain. She had 
entered the Institution at eight years of age, shortly after the death 
of her mother, who had survived her father only two years. She 
had no known relatives living, but kind-hearted Mrs. Barlow, who, 
notwithstanding she was the bread winner for her own]] family, 
which included an invalid mother almost helpless by paralysis, 
had assured Margaret Brainard on her death bed that she would 
look after and befriend her little blind child, Alice. It seemed to 
everyone that God had doubly endowed Mrs. Barlow with" health 
and strength. She was one of those jovial, jolly good souls, who, 
either in the sick chamber or at a social gathering, is as welcome 
as the sunlight on a dismal cloudy day. After a day’s work that 
would tire two or three ordinary women, a ten minutes’ rest or 
short nap would enable her to roll away the burden of the day and 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


87 


appear as fresh, vigorous and animated for an evening’s enjoyment 
or a watch by the bedside of the sick as though she had just risen 
after a night of restful slumber. Everybody laughed at her and 
with her on all occasions, and the sick vowed that a call from her 
did them more good than the prescriptions of their physician; 
and so, when she assured Mrs. Brainard that she would be a mo- 
ther to Alice, the great burden of anxiety that had been weighing 
down the heart of the dying mother was rolled away and she went 
peacefully to her last sleep, thanking her Heavenly Father for 
raising up such a strong, generous friend to care for her little blind 
girl. And when they had laid her away and the funeral was over, 
the head of the weeping child was pillowed on a breast as motherly 
and full of tenderness for the little orphan as that of any mother 
for her own. Alice remembered the year that she spent in the home 
of Mrs. Barlow as one of the happiest in her life, and every vacation 
of the school to which she was sent, was looked forward to with the 
anticipation of all the happiness and joy that children experience 
whose homes are full of sunshine, made so by parents whose chief 
delight is the happiness of their children. In a way, Alice learned 
to reflect in her own life the qualities of her adopted mother, and 
when the lesson hours were over, the other girls at the institution 
knew that Alice would have a programme ready for their enjoy- 
ment; and when visitors at the institution were shown through 
the cottages occupied by the girls, her bright, cheery face, anima- 
ted ways, and quick intelligence won for her many compliments, 
and many times she had heard remarks made expressive of sur- 
prise that one without sight could be so light hearted and could 
accomplish so much. 

But there were sad days in store for Alice. For even before 
she had finished her school days, good Mrs. Barlow had been strick- 
en down with pneumonia and her poor invalid mother had survived 
her only a few weeks. And when vacation day came round again 
Alice, for the first time in her life, realized what it was to be friend- 
less and alone. When all the girls had left the cottage in joyous 
anticipation of holiday pleasures, she had gone up into her room, 
and, throwing herself upon her cot, had sobbed and sobbed as 
though her heart would break, until wearied by her grief she had 
fallen asleep. Here she was found by the rnatron, who seamed to 


88 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


realize for the first time that Alice had not gone with the others. 
Leaving her to sleep on, she called several of the teachers who were 
busy getting ready to depart and told them of Alice’s friendless 
condition. A rather hurried consultation was held and it was fi- 
nally determined that she should accompany Miss Travis to her 
home. Miss Travis was a prim, precise maiden lady, answering 
in every particular the attributes of a born teacher. Whatever 
she did, she did from a sense of duty; duty had been held up before 
her in her New England home ever since the first day she attended 
Sabbath-School, until it had come to be the moving spring of her 
existence. Therefore, when it appeared that neither the matron 
nor any of the other teachers were situated so as to offer an asylum 
to Alice during the vacation, her sense of duty had made her vol- 
unteer to take charge of the friendless girl — at least, on this oc- 
casion. And so it came about that Alice accompanied Miss Travis 
to her home; and, although the Travis people in their way were 
kind and considerate, Alice somehow couldn’t help feeling that 
she was in the way. She was sure that the family experienced a 
sense of relief when she left their company and went up to her 
room, where she spent the most of her time alone. Sometimes she 
had followed the path which lead down into the orchard back of 
the house, and found herself alone with the birds chirping overhead 
in the trees and the busy hum of insect life about her, broken only 
by the occasional bleating of a lamb in a distant pasture. Here 
she would indulge in a dream of the past, and thus enjoy over again 
the days she had so happily spent in the home of Mrs. Barlow. 
And, sometimes, in one of these day dreams she would picture the 
meeting of her two mothers in their home above and wonder if 
they were looking down upon her, Oh, so lonely now in her dark- 
ness! — and then she would so long to be with them. But the va- 
cation days were over at last. How long they seemed! — and she 
was indeed glad to get back and banish her sorrow by hard work. 
And now she was about to reap her reward, for of all who were to 
take part in the exercises of the graduating day she would be sin- 
gled out as the valedictorian of her class. 

Stoneville was a typical New England village. It consisted 
of a meeting-house, a blacksmith shop, Higgs & Co’s, general store. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


89 


over which was the town hall, and about twenty houses in sight, 
including Schneider’s Tavern, where the hard fisted farmers and 
their hired men were wont to quaff liquid inspiration, talk politics 
and exchange neighborly greetings. 

There were those in Stoneville who regarded Schneider’s 
Tavern as an open gate to perdition, and only approached it when 
they were compelled to do so to hunt up Mike McCarthy, the vil- 
lage blacksmith, who divided his time between his shop and the 
tavern bar room. Mike, who took a daily paper, was at once the 
fountain of knowledge, and the village oracle. When he was not 
surrounded at his shop by a group of admirers, listening to words 
of wisdom and prophecy, uttered while one hand worked the bel- 
lows and the other poked the fire of his forge and emphasized by 
his hammer, as it smote the red hot iron upon the anvil, he was sure 
to be found holding forth in the aforesaid bar room to a knot of 
wood choppers and loungers who were always to be found in greater 
or less numbers. 

Deacon Wilson was waiting at the shop for Mike to finish shoe- 
ing his horses and a number of the tavern frequenters had dropped 
in to hear the discussion, which they knew would be sure to take 
place between Mike and the deacon, on the latest topic of interest 
to the town folk. 

“ I tell ye, ” said Mike, “its a blasted shame to be sinding that 
swate, purty faced blind gurrel to the town house. Why there 
be’nt a woman in tha town thot can hold a candle to her for eddi- 
cation and refinement. Arrah! but it was an unlucky day for her 
whin Maggie Barlow died. Share Maggie was one of the salt of 
the earth. ” 

“But what else could we do?” said the deacon, who was also 
the first selectman of the town. “She had no living relatives that 
we could hear of and as the town was liable for her support, there 
was no other course to pursue. ” 

“Will, I don’t know as there was, but if I had the makin’ of 
the law. I’m thinkin’ I’d find some other way. Now there was Jim 
Brady thot came out of States prison after serving three years for 
stealing a harse from ould Simpson, thot got a start be the help 
of the Prison Association; and ye know as well as I do, that it made 
a man of him after all. And why^there 'should be an association 


90 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


to help discharged convicts and nary a one to give a poor blind gurl 
like that a lift until she be in the way of doing something for her- 
self, wid thot foin eddication of hers, beats all my calculations. 
It was only last night thot Molly, thot’s my daughter you know, 
was tellin’ me thot Miss Brainard could play the pianny enough 
sight better than Betsy Perkins, who makes her livin’ givin’ music 
lessons, and if I’d been first selectman, or the deacon of a church, 
I’d a found some way to give that gurl a dasant home, until she’d 
a chance to see what she could do for herself, as a teacher or some- 
thing loike thot. ” 

“It’s always easier to say what you would do than it is 
to do it, Mr. McCarthy. The selectmen certainly would not have 
stood in the way of any one offering Miss Brainard a home, if they 
had chosen to do so. ” 

The deacon intended this for a home thrust, but Mike was 
equal to the occasion. 

“ Faith, and the purty creature would have been very welcome, 
but it’s not the likes of the home I could give her thot would do 
her any good. Shure ye know will enough thot a music teacher 
wid headquarters at Michael McCarthy’s would stand no bether 
chance of teaching music to the aristocracy than she would wid 
her headquarters in the poorhouse. ” 

On his way home the deacon pondered over what the black- 
smith had said, and he, too, wondered why philanthrophy, which 
established and maintained schools for the blind, should stop short 
just at that critical period, when the homeless and friendless blind, 
leaving the institutions full of ambition and hope, launched their 
frail barks upon the waters of an unknown and untried sea. 

He remembered that after his son Ned had graduated from 
Harvard and finished his studies in the medical school, it was more 
than a year before his income as a physician was sufficient to main- 
tain him. The sad look of despair that came over the face of Alice 
Brainard when she was told she must go to the poorhouse haunted 
him. 

He was a kind hearted man in his way, but somehow he had 
learned to hide his better feelings from those who depended upon 
the town for support, and he unconscionsly hardened his nature 
to such an extent that the kind husband, generous father and good 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


9i 

deacon, became flint as a selectman. Whether this was due to the 
commendation and praise that he received from tax payers at town 
meetings for so managing the town affairs since he had held the 
office that the taxes were less than they had been known to be for 
many years, was the incentive for this heart hardening process, 
was one of the thoughts that now occupied his mind. Before he 
reached home he had resolved to see if something could not be done 
to rescue this cultivated and accomplished young lady from pass- 
ing the remainder of her life in an atmosphere such as is to be found 
in every country poorhouse, which, in addition to being an asylum 
for those whose poverty has been brought about by dissipation and 
vice, almost always used as a lodging house for tramps and other 
vagabonds. When he asked the question how he should feel if he 
knew that by some turn of fortune’s wheel one of his daughters, 
left alone in the world, blind and destitute, should be compelled 
to pass her life in such a place, the nobler nature within him was 
stirred, and he again resolved that he would do something — he 
was not quite sure what — to rescue Alice Brainard. 


92 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


XVIII. 

An onlooker in one of the most frequented cafes on the Rue 
de St. Nicholas on any Monday night could have seen men to a 
considerable number pass behind a screen at the rear end of a long 
room filled with round tables and chairs and the usual furnishings 
of an apartment devoted to lunches served with wine and other 
stimulating drinks. If he had been observing, he would have noted 
that these men were invariably of the Russian type; for in an upper 
chamber, reached by a staircase the opening to which was con- 
cealed by the screen, a group of exiled Russian Nihilists were wont 
to assemble at stated intervals. Further inquiry would have as- 
certained the fact that the proprietor of the cafe was also an ex- 
iled Russian. Seated around one of the tables in the dining room 
were four men who, after being served with food and wine, had lin- 
gered some half hour or more as if waiting for some purpose not 
yet apparent. At length one of the men who had disappeared 
back of the screen reappeared, and going directly to the table where 
the four men were seated, spoke to them in a low voice. Shortly 
thereafter the group arose, and mingling for a time with the other 
occupants of the room, smoking and engaging in conversation, 
first with one and then with another, they in their turn also dis- 
appeared behind the screen, and thus it was that Ergonsorat and 
three of his guests were admitted to the secret council of the Ni- 
hilist exiles. It was not until all four of these men had assembled 
in the ante room of the council chamber that they were admitted, 
and then only as visitors; for Ergonsorat himself, after locating 
the meeting place of the Nihilists and learning through an old ac- 
quaintance the names of the officers of the organization, had re- 
quested a conference, stating that it was not his intention or the 
intention of his associates to become members of the organization 
with the right to participate in its secret meetings until their po- 
sition and intentions had been clearly stated. But he asked that 
an opportunity be given him and his three companions to make 
a statement, and after each had bound himself by a solemn pledge 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


93 


not to reveal the time, place and character of these meetings to any 
person, they had been admitted in the manner described. As 
they were ushered into the main apartment, its occupants, about 
twenty in number, arose and the president of the society intro- 
duced the guests at the same time inviting them to take seats that 
had been provided for them on the raised platform upon which 
was placed a chair and table for the use of the presiding officer. 
After the members of the society had resumed their seats, the presi- 
dent invited Ergonsorat to address them, and Ergonsorat, begin- 
ning with his life at the Dorpat University, faithfully related all 
that the reader is familiar with and finished by reading his father’s 
letter. Without making further comment, he resumed his seat 
and for a few minutes thereafter complete silence reigned. At 
length one of the members arose and addressed the president 
saying. 

“ I have been much interested and impressed by what I have 
heard, but should like very much to hear more. M. Ergonsorat 
has given us an insight into the character and wishes of Alexander 
III. that should make all well wishers of our country desire that 
he be given a fair trial, and the words of M. Ergonsoratkoff to his 
son, our honored guest, are worthy of careful consideration. I 
know I voice the sentiments of every member of this society when 
I affirm that we bear no malice in our hearts to the Czar of Russia 
as a man, and that we are moved only by our love for the land that 
gave us birth to desire freedom for its people and deliverance from 
tyranny and oppression. And if we are convinced that Alexander 
III. has this end only in view, I for one am ready to call him 
brother. ” 

Others followed the first speaker in the expression of similar 
sentiments. 

Ergonsorat was about to address the president, wffien M. 
Slavonivich, whose father, mother and two brothers had died on 
their journey as convicts to the mines of Siberia, owing to the brutal 
treatment and exposure they had undergone, arose and pointing 
to a banner that hung on the wall at the back of the president, ex- 
claimed : 

“Mr. President, I have listened with growing indignation to 
what my brother members of this society have said, and I have 


94 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


a resolution that I wish to offer. ” 

His index finger still pointed at the banner, which, on a dark 
blue background, bore the representation of a lion couchant and 
the inscription, in flaming scarlet, “Let tyrants beware.” 

In a voice surcharged with feeling he proceeded. “I move 
you, sir, that we substitute for yon lion a dog licking the hand of 
fts master in the act of lashing it, and for the inscription, “Smite 
on for we are craven curs, not men. ” 

Amid the silence that followed, when M. Slavonivich had taken 
his seat, Ergonsorat arose and said. 

“Mr. President, I can fully smypathize with my brother who 
has just spoken, for when my heart was filled with bitterness to- 
wards the man I held accountable for the suffering, misery and 
death of my dear mother and honored father, I was ready to strike 
down the Czar with my own hands, but the message came to me 
from the graves of my beloved parents, and was delivered to me, as 
I believe, providentially in time to stay my hand. I bring that 
message to you, my brothers together with the revelation of the 
real character of the man whose life I would have taken, and I 
mistake your motives if they are not such as are worthy of men 
imbued with lofty patriotism that places love of country above the 
spirit of revenge or retaliation for wrongs suffered and endured, 
for which the Czar is accountable only because he is an integral 
part of a machine, without a soul. Bear in mind my brothers, 
that Alexander III. did not make this machine and that, though 
theoretically his will is law, practically his power is limited so that 
were he to go directly counter to the settled policy and practice 
of the nobility, the machine of which he is the supposed master, 
would crush out his life as remorslessly as it crushes out the lives 
of so many of our countrymen. 

“I am here to testify, and have brought these witnesses here, 
(pointing to his three companions) to verify that the man who is 
now Czar in Russia is as desirous to remodel this machine so that 
it shall serve and not oppress his people, as any one of you my 
brothers, and I appeal to you to give him a fair chance. ” 

As M. Ergonsorat ceased speaking and resumed his seat, 
Slavonivich sprang to his feet, exclaiming excitedly — “If this 
man’s counsel is to be accepted what is to become of the “Aven- 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


95 


get” for the completion of which so many of us have sacrificed 
our savings, and to what purpose have we labored these many 
years?” 

These words brought a dozen members of the organization to 
their feet exclaiming. “Fool!” “Madman!” “He has lost his 
wits!” Whereupon, the chairman rapped vigorously for order, 
and, rising to his feet, reminded Slavonivich that strangers were 
present and that he was violating his oath of secrecy; whereupon 
Ergonsorat assured the President that the words of Slavonivich 
so far as he and his companions were concerned, would be as though 
they had never been spoken; that with his permission, they would 
now withdraw. 


96 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER XIX. 

The Stoneville poor house, or rather poor farm, was poor in 
every sense of the word. It had been purchased ten years before, 
because it could be had cheap. It was argued that the paupers 
could be made to clear up the land that had been suffered to be- 
come over run with brush wood. The fences had long been a 
thing of the past, and the rambling, delapidated old farm house, 
which had been for years a standing invitation to every passing 
boy to peg a stone through a window pane, had been inhabited 
principally by bats and other vermin. Now that the law suit 
that had been the cause of all this neglect had been settled, the 
farm had been thrown on the market, and as it was sure to go for 
a song, Deacon Wilson had spoken in town meeting in favor of 
its being purchased by the town. 

Heretofore, the paupers had been bid off at town meetings 
by different persons, and cared for, or abused, according to the 
humanity or brutality of the bidders. It had also been suspected 
for some time that there was a growing disposition in certain 
quarters to throw poor relatives on the town, just for the money 
that might be had out of the town for their support, and Deacon 
Wilson had pointed out that if a regular poorhouse was estab- 
lished some folks who were now drawing money for the support 
of their dependent relatives would be compelled to choose be- 
tween taking care of them themselves and seeing them go to the 
poorhouse. 

So it came about that the farm was purchased and Jonas 
French regularly installed as poorhouse keeper. The selection 
of Jonas Frencl} was also made because he could be had cheap. 
He was a ne’er do will, jack-of-all-trades, whom the town had 
often had to help through the winter months. His wife was a 
meek, over-worked little woman, who, when she was not taking 
in washing to support Jonas in idleness, was looking about to get 
him a job. No one seemed to care to employ him very long at a 
time. It was argued that Sallie French, or Aunt Sallie, as she 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


97 


was more familiarly called, would be the real manager of the farm, 
and that she might contrive to get some work out of Jonas; at 
any rate he would have a steady job for once in his life, and, 
though he might not be depended on to do much work himself, 
he would at least get some work out of ’‘them lazy paupers” to- 
ward their own support. ‘‘Them lazy paupers” consisted of 
two old women over seventy years of age, and an old man nearly 
eighty, two wood-choppers, who had been rescued from a snow 
bank where they, in a state of intoxication, had put up for the 
night. One had had both of his feet so badly frozen that they 
had to be amputated, and the other had been so racked and twisted 
with rheumatism as a result, that he could with difficulty walk 
about. Silly Susan, then only a child of nine years, was a half 
demented girl; and about a dozen of the other contributions of 
improvidence, intemperance and crime made up the inmates of 
the poorhouse. 

After about a week spent in cleaning up and making the old 
house wind and water tight, it had been furnished by the gather- 
ing together of such cast-off furniture as the town folk could be 
induced to contribute, the only article bought being a new cook- 
stove for Aunt Sallie, which stove was also expected to do duty 
in helping to keep the great kitchen warm enough as a sitting 
room for the inmates of the house in cold weather. 

Any one who has occasion to visit county jails, city police 
courts, or town poorhouses, does not need to be told that these 
places have an odor peculiar to themselves, and it was into a 
place of this character that broken hearted Alice Brainard was 
introduced as her future home. 

Was it for this that she had so industriously and persever- 
ingly labored during her school life? Was this to be the outcome of 
all her hopes and aspirations? And, worst of all, was she to be 
subjected to the odious and supercilious attentions of Jonas 
French who, ever since she had become an inmate, had taken 
ho pains to conceal his admiration for her, even from his wife? 
Was it a wonder that she felt life to be a burden, and long and 
earnestly prayed to her Heavenly Father that she might lay it 
down, and join her mother and good Mrs. Barlow in their Heavenly 
home? 


98 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


Silly Susie, now a girl of nineteen, and the little two year old 
baby of Jonas French, who was Susie’s constant care, were Alice’s 
companions whenever she could escape the persecuting attentions 
of Jonas. 

One pleasant July day, Susie, with her little charge, had 
accompanied Alice to a cool, shady ravine about a quarter of a 
mile from the old farm house. Here, seated on the bank of a 
brooklet, which after dashing gleefully over the rocks at the upper 
end of the ravine, rippled by, sending forth notes of sweet cadence, 
Alice was able for a time to forget her misery, and snatch a few 
moments of happiness, and, with baby in her arms, she hummed 
a low, sweet lullaby to the accompanyment of the murmuring 
stream. Her enjoyment at this time was in such contrast with the 
thick gloom of despair that usually enveloped her, and her delight 
so manifest as baby’s tiny fingers crept over her face and toyed 
with her hair, that the diffidence usually displayed by silly Susie 
melted away . In a tone manifesting great confidence she ex- 
claimed. “ If I tell you a great secret Miss Brainard, will you 
promise me never to tell anybody?” 

“Why yes, dear, but perhaps you ought not to tell me. ” 

“Oh! I don’t mind you knowing, for you are so kind and 
love baby so much that I know you would not hate me, as Jonas 
said everybody would, if I told. It was a long time ago, I guess 
maybe two or three years, and all the folks were getting ready 
for Christmas. Old Mrs. Mallory, that was her name then, and 
old Bige Pettibone ran away from the poorfarm and got married, 
and when they came back he was so nice to her that I just up and 
told Mrs. Jonas that I wished Santa Claus would bring me a hus- 
band. 

“Now you’re sure you’ll never tell. Miss Alice?” — but before 
Alice could reply, she went on — “Jonas was awful nice to me them 
days and he told me Christmas Day that Santa Claus had told 
him to be my husband too, and — and — and that is my very own 
baby. Miss Alice; but nobody knows it except Jonas and Mrs. 
Jonas, who tells everybody it is hers, and — and Jonas ain’t so 
nice to me now since you come, and — and I guess he wants to be 
your husband too, Miss Alice, but I don’t care you’re so nice and 
good, I should like to have you stay here always. ” 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


59 


Alice listened to the recital of this half demented girl as 
though in a dream. She seemed to be oppressed by an awful 
nightmare, and a great fear took possession of her. She could 
almost feel a serpent winding its coils around her, and fairly 
screamed in her efforts to throw off the odious thing, and run 
away from it. 

Susie, seeing what effect her story had had, and that Ailce 
had unconsciously put the baby away from her, snatched it up 
.and began to cry. 

“ Oh ! it is just as Jonas said it would be ; you hate me now. ” 

This seemed to awaken Alice from her nightmare, and, reach 
ing out, she clasped both Susie and the baby in her arms and 
mingled her tears with their's. How could she go pack to that 
house? O, if God would only give her back her sight a little 
, while, just long enough to flee away from that detested place, 
out of that man’s reach, and she sent up a silent prayer for help. 

As if in answer to this petition, she heard footsteps approach- 
ing, and the voice of Miss Travis, exclaiming! “Here the dear 
. girl is, Mrs. Mayfair! 

The revulsion of feeling was so great that, releasing Susie 
. and the baby from her embrace, Alice stretched out her arms 
. toward Miss Travis with a cry of joy, and rapturously awaited 
her approach. 


LofC. 


100 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER XX 

The morning after Deacon Wilson’s talk with Mike McCarthy, 
the blacksmith, he wrote to Dr. Greathead, the principal of the 
Bodwin Institute for the Blind, informing him of the destitute 
and friendless condition of Alice Brainard, and imploring his ad- 
vice. The reply came promptly, that that Institution could not 
undertake to follow any of its graduates out into the world. Bod- 
win Institute was not unlike schools for persons with sight, in 
that respect. He was very, very sorry that such a sad fate should 
overtake such a bright, promising young woman, and he would 
gladly advise Deacon Wilson, if -he knew of any solution of the 
problem. It was hard to be poor and friendless in any case, but 
doubly hard when poverty was supplemented by blindness, etc, 
etc. 

Two days later. Deacon Wilson had occasion to visit Elm- 
dale on business. His mind still being engrossed with the de- 
plorable condition of Alice Brainard, he chanced to mention the 
circumstances to a friend, and taking Doctor Greathead’s letter 
from his pocket, handed it to him to read. 

The latter, after he had finished reading it, exclaimed; “ J^st 
the thing; I have it. There is a well known lawyer in Elmdale 
who is blind, and only last week Mrs. Simpson, the owner of the 
“American,” was speaking to me of the interest he had taken in 
the case of a blind man named Green; just set him on his feet 
like, and showed him how he could go on and earn a good living 
■for himself and family. 

“Now if I was you Deacon, I’d just go over and call on Ed. 
Crawford, thats his name, it won’t be much out of your way, as 
you will pass the building where he has his office, on your way to 
the station.” 

The Deacon thanked his friend, and after he had finished 
attending to the business that had called him to Elmdale, went 
directly to Edward Crawford’s office. 

Edward was much interested in the Deacons description of 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


m 


Alice and in the account he gave of her unfortunate situation, but 
when he had finished reading Doctor Greathead’s letter he was 
surpirsed, — Surprised to learn that the poor and friendless blind 
were in no way provided for when they left the Isntitutions where 
they were educated, and like Mike McCarthy, the village black- 
smith, he was sure there was something wrong somewhere, and 
he would make it his business to look into it. 

After receiving this assurance, Deacon Wilson’s conscience 
was more at rest. He felt that the responsibility had been shifted 
from his shoulders to Edward’s, and, thanking the latter for the 
interest he had taken in the case, bade Edward adieu and made 
his way hastily to the station. 

The Deacon had no sooner left the office than Edward called 
Griggs, and acquainted him with the facts, and at once dictated 
a letter to Mrs. Mayfair requesting that she accompany Mr. Griggs 
to Stoneville. Grigg was dispatched with this letter to Mrs. 
Mayfair on the following morning. When he reached her home 
he found Miss Travis, who had been paying Mrs. Mayfair a visit, 
just ready to depart. 

Mrs. Mayfair glanced hastily over Edward’s letter, then turned 
to Miss Travis and said: “Surely you must know this girl.” 
Miss Travis was much shocked when she learned where her old 
pupil was, and she gladly agreed to accompany Mrs Mayfair and 
Griggs to the poor house at Stoneville. Upon their arrival, Griggs 
remained at the poor house while Miss Travis and Mrs. Mayfair 
went in quest of Alice Brainard, and thus was brought about the 
meeting of Alice and Mrs. Mayfair, mentioned in the preceding 
chapter. 

When Alice was told that she was to accompany the latter 
to her home, she was sure that her Heavenly Father had heard 
and answered her prayer. 

Edward Crawford, after he had dismissed Griggs, began pacing 
back and forth in his office, turning over in his mind what he had 
just learned concerning the story of Alice Brainard’s helpless con- 
dition. The bare possibility of such a fate overtaking a talented 
and accomplished young woman, was a reproach to our civilization 
and humanity. In common with the general public, Edward had 
supposed that everything that could be done to advance the inter- 


102 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


sets of the blind children and youth of our country who came with- 
in the care of institution for the blind was certainly being properly 
attended to. 

It now appeared that an orphan blind child, educated at the 
State’s expense and receiving for a number, of years all the ad- 
vantages, was at the end of this period of instruction to be -sud- 
denly abandoned by both the institution and the State, and left 
to survive or perish, as chance might determine. 

Could the trustees of the Bodwin Institution imagine for a 
moment that the hundreds of kind-hearted and philanthropic 
people who for more than a half century have donated and be- 
queathed thousands upon thousands, until the reports of that 
Institution show assets aggregating more than a million and a 
half dollars, would feel that the trust they had thus imposed was 
being faithfully carried out, if they could be consulted? — es- 
pecially when they were informed that the institution received 
an allowance of three hundred dollars and upwards from the 
States each school year for the board and tuition of each pupil 
for a period of not more than ten months in a year? These were 
the facts ascertained by Edward as they related to the case of 
Alice Brainard. 

Three thousand dollars had been paid the Bodwin Institute 
for her board and instruction for the ten years she was a pupil, 
and she left that institution to become the inmate of a town poor 
house. 

•Now that the commonwealth had come to regard the educa- 
tion of the blind children as a part of its bounden duty, and ac- 
cordingly made provision for a suitable allowance to institutions 
for this purpose; should not the gifts and bequests of philan- 
thropy be employed to supplement this instruction by making 
some provision for the maintenance of the friendless blind, until 
they could be started in some self-sustaining employment, and 
thus enable them to derive some benefit from their instruction? 

Or if not, should not the public be made aware of the facts, 
so that philanthropy would henceforth see to it that these gifts 
and bequests to aid the blind should go to some association that 
would undertake to carry out this much needed work ? 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


103 


CHAPTER XXL 

Four years had passed since the meeting of the Nihilists at- 
tended by Ergonsorat, in the cafe of the Rue de Nicholas. Alex] 
ander III had laid down the responsibilities of life and had been 
succeeded by Nicholas II, the present Czar of Russia. Previous 
to the death of Alexander, Ergonsorat had made several visits to 
Russia, on the first of which he had been accompanied by Tessa, 
now Madam Ergonsorat. They had called upon and received the 
congratulations of the Czar, who, true to his promise, had readily 
admitted Ergonsorat and his bride to his presence. 

Aside from a few irreconsibles, the Paris group of Nihilists 
had given assurances to Ergonsorat that they would take no part 
in "any attempt upon the life of Alexander III, and, as that mon- 
arch died a natural death, Ergonsorat had reason to believe that 
they had kept their promise. Although he had not. identified 
himself with the Paris group as a member, he had met Slavoni- 
vich many times, and on one or two occasions the latter had dropped 
hints that some day he and his immediate friends would be heard- 
from in a way that would not only make the Czar, but all the no- 
bility of Russia think twice before they ignored the demands of 
the exiled and despised Nihilists. 

Two weeks after the death of Alexander, Slavonivich called 
Upon Ergonsorat at his home in Paris and requested a private in- 
terview. Upon this being granted he, Slavonivich, explained that 
he had been appointed a committee to wait upon him with a request 
that he become a member of their organization, Slavonivich 
informed Ergonsorat that if he would pledge his word of honor 
not to reveal what passed between them, he was authorized to 
outline to him the plans they were maturing to compel Russia to 
adopt certain reforms. 

Ergonsorat readily agreed to this, whereupon Slavonivich in- 
formed him that for seven years the energy and means of the 
society, as well as the contributions of hundreds of sympathizers 
had been directed and applied to the perfection of a submarine 


J04 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


boat. This boat at first was named the “Avenger/' but shortly 
after Ergonsorat’s visit to the society, described in a previous 
chapter, its name had been changed to the “Champion;” the 
majority holding that their mission was rather that of the champ- 
ion of the rights of the people than the avenger of their wrongs. 
Ergonsorat expressed great satisfaction at this evidence of the 
telling effect of his appeal, and at once showed his heightened 
interest by assuring Slavonivich that he would now gladly identify 
himself with the proposed plans. 

After the initiation of Ergonsorat as a member of the Paris 
group of Nihilists he was secretly conducted to the place where 
the submarine boat “Champion” was concealed. This triumph 
of patient persevering labor of more than seven years had already 
had several trial trips and its constructor had demonstrated to 
the satisfaction of all concerned that his efforts had been crow;ied 
at last with perfect success, for, in addition to all the advantages 
obtained by the constructors of the Holland submarine boat the 
“Champion” was capable of developing twice the speed of the 
former and had a steerage capacity of three times the quantity of 
gasoline necessary for the successful operation of its engnies and 
dynamos. In adition to its propellor, electric motors on both 
sides of the long, narrow craft, operated shafts to which were at- 
tached sprocket wheels arranged to drive a belt or chain made up 
by attaching wide links of steel that formed the frame-work used 
to hold a steel rod running through a wide steel plate much after 
the fashion of a damper in an ordinary stove pipe except that the 
steel plate was oblong in shape instead of circular. As the chain 
was operated by being drawn rapidly through the water each dam- 
per-like blade presented the full surface of its flat side, but upon its 
reaching and passing round the sprocket wheel each blade was 
turned so as to present its sharp edge or end, thus securing great 
resistence while going in one direction and comparatively no re- 
sist ence while going in the opposite direction. Thus, with fifteen 
blades to each chain and a chain operated on each side of the boat, 
a speed of from twenty-five to thirty knots was developed and the 
operation of these chains in opposite directions enabled the pilot 
to turn in either diretcion with almost the swiftness and ease of a 
pike, which fish in its general outlines it resembled. Ergonsorat 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


105 


was taken on board through an opening formed in the top by 
sliding back a steel plate, which when in position formed the back 
of a porpoise-shaped projection on the back or upper part of , the 
pike-shaped boat about midway between its prow and stem. 
Thus, when the “Champion” had occasion to rise to the surface 
it exposed only so much of its superstructure as might easily be 
mistaken for a porpoise. When everything was ready and its 
crew, consisting of five persons were aboard, it moved swiftly 
out of its hiding place and started across the English Channel. 
Rising to the surface at will, then diving almost instantly to the 
depth of many fathoms, shooting first in one direction and then 
in another, it performed evolutions of every character in the most 
dexterous manner. Great warships anchored in the harbor of 
an English port were approached without the slighest suspicion 
of those on board that an engine of destmction armed with ex- 
plosives of sufficient power to rend them into fragments was play- 
ing about their keels. To attempt to describe the enthusiasm 
of Ergonsorat would be vain. 

“Here,” said Ergonsorat, “is the foundation for the estab- 
lishment of an empire limited only by the great waters of the earth. 
What may we not accomplish, even without striking a blow, when 
our power to enforce compliance with our demands of the nations 
of the earth is known and appreciated. The so-called navies of 
the world will be powerless to withstand even one little craft like 
this, and their great ironclads will be but so many soap bubbles 
to be pricked and destroyed at will.” Growing more and more 
impressed he turned once more to Slavonovich, and exclaimed. 

“Surely the Almighty will hold us responsible for the way in 
which we discharge our responsibility as the administrators of 
this new and wonderful empire. No greater agency in the cause 
of humanity and no greater foe to tryanny, injustice and oppres- 
sion could exist; and think, safe in the bottom of the ocean, by 
means of the great national telegraphic cables, which we can tap 
when and where we please, we shall be able to make our edicts 
known and explain our ability to enforce them. The smile of 
satisfaction that lit up the face of Slavonovich as he pressed the 
hand of Ergonsorat was eloquent with triumph. “I have forseen 
all this from the first,” he said. “Once I would have revelled 


106 


A RIFT INTHECXOUD 


in the thought of executing vengeance upon the man I held re- 
sponsible for the injustice and misery meted out to those who 
were near and dear to me. I was more than impatient that he had 
shown himself to be other than the monster I had pictured him, 
and when you first came among us I almost hated you because I 
feared you would cheat me out of my revenge, but time and the 
death of this man has altered all this, and, like you, I now begin 
to feel the great responsibility that the possession of so much 
power brings.** Saying which Slavonovich gave the order to 
return, and they were almost instantly homeward bound 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUET 


107 


CHAPLER XXII. 

On the morning of the i6th of Februry, 1898, Ergonsorat 
was awakened from his slumbers by the excited shouting of news- 
boys announcing an event that startled the civilized world. An 
American warship, peacefully anchored in Havana Harbor, had 
been destroyed, and 259 of its crew hurled into eternity. 

So well was the character of the Spaniard understood that 
no one doubted, what was afterwards proven, that the battle- 
ship Maine was treacherously blown up by the explosion of a sub- 
marine mine, the existence of which was known only to the Spanish. 
In the case of Ergonsorat, however, the shock was immediately 
followed by a new-born hope. The people of the United States 
had had their ears filled with stories relating the cruelty of the 
Spaniards in Cuba, but Ergonsorat had lived for several years 
under Spanish rule in Manila. 

The young peasant lad who had accompanied him in his 
flight from his home on that memorable day when Ergonsorat 
parted from his honored and loving parents, had proved himself 
such a faithful friend that Ergonsorat had regarded him almost 
as a brother. 

After reaching Manila, the lad had found favor in the eyes 
of a pretty Filippino girl, the sister of a native priest. This 
priest had dared to defend his sister against the lustful demands 
of a friar who wore the cloak of religion as a cover for a life of 
debauchery, plunder, treachery and tyranny. The native priest 
to save his sister, had welcomed the attentions of young Ivan, 
as the peasant lad was called, and, when the friar was ready to 
pounce upon his prey, the three had fled and found shelter in the 
home of a man who was destined to become a leader in a revolution 
against the power of that country which in the hundreds of years 
of mis-rule had suffered the natives to be robbed and their homes 
pointed. 

The friar, not to be balked of his prey, had employed spies 
so successfully, that he ascertained the whereabouts of the fugi- 


{08 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


tives, and, without further evidence, brought an accusation of 
treason against the three fugitives and their protector. The house 
was surrounded at midnight by Spanish soldiers. 

Young Ivan and Senor Luna resisted arrest, revolvers in 
hand, but the former, with his bride elect and her brother, were 
ruthlessly shot down, Senor Luna only, making his escape. 

The commercial establishment by which Ergonsorat had 
been employed while in Manila, had furnished many pianos to 
natives, which, when the boxes were opened at their final place 
of destination, had turned out to be rifles and ammunition for the 
use of a secret organization whose members had cherished for 
many years the hope that they might some day throw off the 
yoke of oppression and secure their independence. 

Ergonsorat had many times been employed as the trusted 
agent of the firm, to receive payment for these pianos, and in this 
may he had had an opportunity to become well acquainted with 
Senor Luna. Being kindred spirits, a warm friendship had sprung 
up between them. Senor Luna had prophesied that the day would 
come when the hated Spaniard would be driven into the sea, 
and Ergonsorat had promised if ever he was needed to help on 
this movement, no matter where he might be, he would render 
all the assistance he could. When the revolution broke out in 
the Philippines in 1896, Ergonsorat became the trusted Paris 
agent of the revolutionists. 

For more than a century the kind-heatred, peace loving, 
hospitable Philippinos, driven to desperation, had made spas- 
modic efforts to rid themselves of their oppressors. Just prior to 
1896 they had formulated a petition to the Spanish government 
setting forth their grievances, and praying for relief. The intel- 
ligence of certain native Filippinos had given direction to the 
formation of a secret league, which had attained such proportions 
that becoming confident of their own strength, and aware of the 
growing weakness and imbicility of the once powerful, but now 
effete Spanish nation, their petition became a demand; and now 
did the savage ferocity of a cruel people show itself. 

It was known that the movement had many sympathisers 
within reach and martial law was declared by the Spanish captain 
general at Manila Before there was any opportunity to separate 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


J09 


the inoffensive relatives and friends of the more active participants 
from those guilty of overt acts of rebellion, 169 suspects were 
thrust at the point of the bayonet into a dungeon lying below the 
water level in the bastion of the San Sebastian, having but one 
small opening, — which was subsequently closed. That night 54 
of the prisoners died from suffocation, and the following morning 
without a pretense of trial, the remainder were led out and shot 
on the Luneta, the fashionable promenade on the shores of Manila 
Bay. This occurred on August 30th, 1896. A few days later, 
thirteen prominent men, some of them wealthy land proprietors, 
and other highly respected citizens were led out and, with their 
arms and legs pinioned and their faces turned towards the sea, 
were shot to death, in the presence of a mixed assemblage, among 
which were many ladies; while the band played lively airs, mak- 
ing the whole occasion resemble a gala day, such as is indulged in, 
when the Spaniards engage in their national passtime of bull- 
fighting. 

All this had been faithfully related in the correspondence 
between Ergonsorat and Senor Luna. 

So successful was the last rebellion that Spain, after two years 
expended in vain efforts to suppress it, secured peace by promis- 
ing to grant the reforms demanded, and, as a guarantee of its good 
faith, engaged to pay two million dollars to Aguinaldo ana the 
other Filipino leaders, as compensation for the losses that the 
revolutionists had sustained. 

Although only a portion of this money was ever paid over, 
Aguinaldo, who had retired to Hong Kong with several of his 
associates, took with him four hundred thousand dollars, to buy 
arms and ammunition with which to renew the struggle in case 
the promised reforms were not carried out. 

This was the situation when Ergonsorat read the account 
of the blowing up of the Maine. “Whom the gods would destroy, 
they first make mad,“ exclaimed Ergonsorat. “This act will 
bring down upon the head of the Spaniards the swift vengeance 
of a great and free people and Aguinaldo and his faithful followers 
will have an ally that will soon terminate Spanish mis-rule in 
their beloved island home. “ 

From that time forward, both he and Senor, now General, 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


UO 


Luna, eagerly watched for the declaration of war,, which they knew 
must be the outcome of the blowing up of the American war 
vessel. It came on the 23d day of April following, although actual 
hostilities began on the 21st. Several days later , the Spanish 
fleet in Manila Bay was destroyed by the American fleet under 
the command of Admiral Dewey. This fleet brought with it 
Aguinaldo, who had promised to co-operate with the Americans 
by organizing his followers and operating against the Spaniards 
on the land. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


ni 


CHAPTER XXIIL 

Bitter indeed was the disappointment of the hopes of Ergon- 
sorat and Senor Luna when it transpired that the defeat and ex- 
pulsion of the Spaniards by the joint action of the United States 
soldiers and the Filipinos was not likely, after all, to result in the 
independence of the Philippines. 

“We have but exchanged masters,” wrote General Luna; 
“the Americans look with covetous eyes upon our islands, and 
have resolved to possess them for themselves ; but we and our 
faithful followers will resist to the death, any attempt to re-en- 
slave our people. If we are able to resist the military power of 
the United States until the liberty-loving people of that country 
shall have a chance to be heard, we may yet gain the day. ” 

Ergonsorat’s reply to this communication was an application 
to the Filipino Government, as it was then organized, for a com- 
mission that would authorize him to raise the Filipino flag over 
such vessels as he might be able to bring into the Filipino service, 
hinting vaguely that the United States might And an unlooked for 
defender of Filipino independence that would make that Govern- 
ment think twice before it ignored their demands. The commis- 
sion was promptly sent, and Ergonsorat, who had succeeded in 
securing the sympathetic cooperation of the Nihilist group, at once 
prepared the “Chapmion” for its first ocean voyage, and, two 
weeks later, the “Champion” had found safe harborage in a little 
inlet or arm of the sea that indented an uninhabited islet not many 
miles from Elmdale. 

The reader is familiar with the subsequent steps taken by 
Ergonsorat to secure arms, ammunition and the possession of the 
tramp steamer “ Soreta” and the frustration of his plans by Ed- 
ward Crawford; nor is the incident of the overturning of the small 
boat by the “porpoise” any longer a mystery. 

Why Ergonsorat , after he had been rescued by the‘ ‘ Champion ’ ’ 
did not retaliate by exploding a torpedo under the keel of the 
“Sprite” from one of the tubes of the “Champion”, can only be 


112 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


explained by the circumstance that the “Soreat” had been dis- 
abled and rendered useless to him, by the shot from the “Sprite, ’’ 
and the fact that he had pledged his word of honor to both Tessa 
and Olinka, his wife and sister, that he would not under any cir- 
cumstances use the power that had been placed in his hands to 
destroy life, when nothing was to be gained except the gratifica- 
tion of a spirit of revenge or retaliation. 

It was also plain to Ergonsorat that men recruited from the 
dissatisfied element to be found in the bottom strata of the social 
fabric in the United States, could not be relied upon to stand for 
the principles they avowed, when confronted by the danger of 
death at the yard arm as pirates. The threat of the captain of the 
“Soreta” had had the effect of frightening the majority of Ergon- 
sorat ’s followers, thus recruited, and cause their desertion. He 
must therefore abandon all thought of assistance from this quarter 
and resort to other tactics. 

Ergonsorat was a swift thinker, and a plan that he felt con- 
fident would prove far more effective than the contribution of arms 
and ammunition he had promised to deliver to the Filipino govern- 
ment, presented itself to his mind. 

After the scene in the office of the “American ” between Brock- 
way and Willie Nolan, as related by the latter in his letter to his 
mother, Brockway had determined to seek Ergonsorat and dis- 
close the treachery of the man who had called himself his brother, 
and thus be able to blackwail both Ergonsorat and ‘‘ Old man Win- 
chell, “ as he was popularly called. He had, therefore, sent a mes- 
sage to Ergonsorat inviting him to call at the office of the “Am- 
erican” and intimating that the business was of the utmost im- 
portance. The latter, on receivnig this message, had substituted 
the lunch room in the rear of the cigar store as a place of meeting, 
assigning as a reason that he could not be absent from his place of 
business long enough to visit the office of the “American”; and, 
when Brockway left the cab driven by Willie .Nolan and entered 
the cigar store, he found Ergonsorat awaiting him. 

Seeing that a number of customers, were present Brockway 
felt confident that he had not been explicit enough in his message 
to Ergonsorat, and^ taking his note book from his pocket, he wrote — 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


ns 

“The nature of my business makes it imperative that we should 
be alone. “ Tearing out the leaf he handed it to 
Ergonsorat, who thereupon led the way across the street to the 
second-hand piano store. As they entered, Brockway felt con- 
fident that one of the employees engaged in screwing a cover upon 
a piano box, who had quickly turned his face away upon their ap- 
proach,. was none other than the man who had represented him- 
self to be the brother of Ergonsorat. Brockway at once began in 
a loud tone to speak as though negotiating for the sale of a second- 
hand piano, at the same time pulling Ergonsorat ’s sleeve and nod- 
ding significantly towards the employee, who still stood with his 
face averted. 

Ergonsorat took the cue and began to inquire about the make 
of the piano, how long it had been in use, the price he put upon it, 
etc., at the same time leading the way into a private office at the 
rear of the store, the door of which had no sooner closed than he 
confronted Brockway and inquired sharply “in what way is that 
man concerned in your business with me?” 

“Not so fast my friend,” said Brockway, taking a cigar from 
his pocket and coolly lighting it ; “let us sit down and talk it over. ” 

Ergonsorat, with considerable effort to conceal the excitement 
under which he was now laboring, did as he was requested, and 
Brockway continued. 

“I will come to the point at once my friend. In 
the first place, I want you to be satisfied that you can trust me, 
for it is for my interest to keep your secret at least for the present. 
I am well aware that your business is not what you would have 
the public believe it to be. ” 

Again Ergonsorat interrupted him, demanding to know how 
the man they had seen in the store was concerned. 

“I will come to that presently,” replied Brockway. “In the 
mean time, the fact that you are not under arrest and this store 
not in the possession of officers of the law, ought to satisfy you that 
you can talk freely and unreservedly with me. ” 

“ Granting that, sir, ” replied Ergonsorat, but “if that man is re- 
sponsible for what you appear to know, let me assure you he was 
not hoodwinked by our talk about a piano as we came through the 


II4 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


store, and if, as you say, it is for your interest not to betray me, 
we must prevent that man leaving this store before we proceed 
any further with this business; therefore, I ask you again, is he 
responsible for your knowledge?’’ 

“He is,” answered Brockway. 

Instantly Ergonsorat darted to the door, opened it and called 
to the seeming employee, who had already put on his coat as though 
getting ready to go out. “Monsieur Slavonivich, will you be good 
enough to step here a moment?” 

The man addressed turned with a start, glanced an instant 
at Ergonsorat, smiled sardonically, and, without making any reply, 
started to leave the store. There was a sharp click — the cocking 
of a revolver — and Ergonsorat said in slow, measured tones, “you 
know I never miss the mark. ” 

The two men were now facing each other, and Slavonivich 
hissed, “Coward, you know I am unarmed. ” 

“So much the better for you,” said Ergonsorat, “for traitor 
though you are, I would not have your blood upon my hands. ” 

Still keeping him covered with his revolver, Ergonsorat bade 
Brockway close and lock the front doors of the store. This was 
done while Slavonivich stood glaring at Ergonsorat with a look of 
intense hatred. Ergonsorat then directed Brockway to pinion 
the arms of Slavonivich, which was done without resistance on the 
part of the latter. The two men then conducted him into the 
rear office, where Ergonsorat left him in Brockway’s keeping, say- 
ing that he would return presently with men who would take their 
prisoner in charge. 

Ergonsorat had no sooner left the store than Slavonivich began 
to make violent efforts to free his arms from the ropes which bound 
them. Fearing that he might succeed, Brockway looked around 
for a weapon, and finally securing a heavy iron stove-shaker, bade 
his prisoner desist. 

Growing desperate, Slavonivich struggled with the fierce 
strength of a maniac, when Brockway, fearing for his own safety, 
dealt him a heavy blow bn the back of the head with the stove- 
shaker, intending only to stun him, but the blow had fallen^ with 
crushing force and when half an hour later Ergonsorat returned with 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


ns 


two of the crew of the “Champion, ” Slavonivich was dead. 

Slavonivich had been jealous of Ergonsorat and had secretly 
hated him ever since the latter had been chosen by the Paris group 
of Nihilists to command the “Champion.” From that time for- 
ward he had watched for an opportunity to rid himself of this rival 
who had supplanted him in the affection and confidence of his 
fellows. It was not his purpose to deliver the “Champion” or any 
of its crew into the hands of the officials of the United States, but 
merely to disclose so much of ErgonsoraUs plans as would cause 
their apparent detection and Ergonsorat ’s arrest, leaving him, 
Slavonivich, who was second in command, to escape with the 
“Champion,” and henceforth be free to follow out any course he 
might desire. Had it not been for the cupidity of Brockway, his 
scheme would undoubtedly have succeeded. 

When the treachery of Slavonivich was made known to the 
crew of the “ Champion ” they were not so miich surprised as Ergon- 
sorat had been, and when it was ascertained that Slavonivich was 
dead, although thankful that his life had not been taken by their 
leader, there was a general sense of relief. Sending his men back 
to the “Champion,” Ergonsorat turned to Brockway and, coolly 
lighting a cigar, said: 

“Mr. Brockway, what do you propose to do with the man 
you have murdered?” 

Brockway instantly saw that the tables had been so turned 
that he was now completely in the power of the man who but an 
hour ago was at his mercy. He felt sure that Ergonsorat suspected 
his intention to levy blackmail, but he now pretended that it was 
his sympathy for the Filipinos in their struggle for independence 
that had influenced him not to reveal what had been told him by 
Slavonivich, and that he had come to put Ergonsorat on his guard. 

Ergonsorat was not deceived, but, having no fears that Brock- 
way would dare betray him now, was ready to listen to any plan 
to dispose of the body that Brockway might suggest. After a 
prolonged silence Brockway started to his feet exclaiming : 

“I have it. Elmdale will no longer be a desirable place of 
residence for me; I must disappear. This man Slavonivich was 
about my build. I will exchange places with him, if you will re- 
ceieve me as one of your followers, and his body shall be found at 


ti6 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


the foot of West Rock with all means of identification obliterated, 
except my clothing, which I will put on him. We can convey his 
body to the Rock without fear of detection, by placing it in one of 
your piano boxes. 

The reader knows how successfully this plan was carried out. 


ARIFTINTHE CLOUD 


U7 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

On the day following the return of Mrs. Mayfair from the 
Stoneville poorhouse with Alice Brainard, Edward received a letter 
from her urging him to pay her a visit. Mrs. Mayfair had been 
captivated by the sweet and confiding manner of Alice and the 
trust the latter had imposed in her, for it seemed to Alice that her 
troubles were over when she listened to the confident, reassuring 
words of her newly found friend. Mrs. Mayfair had resolved to 
make use of Alice’s services temporarily, as a substitute for the 
matron of the nursery, thus giving that good lady a couple of weeks 
of much needed rest. 

Alice was delighted with the four little blind babies varying 
from one to three years of age, the fruit of Mrs. Mayfair’s last tour 
of the State. One had been found at a hospital, another in the 
home, or rather hovel, of its wretched intemperate mother; an- 
other in one of the town poorhouses, and the fourth, a town charge, 
put out at a dollar a week to be cared for by a widow with six 
children of her own — the eldest being only ten years of age. The 
mother supported this family by taking in washing and the little 
blind baby boy was at once the amusement and care of the children, 
whose chief delight it was to teaze and frighten their little charge un 
tilit had become a poor little emaciated bundle of nerves starting at 
every sound and shrinking at every touch. 

When Edward reached Mrs. Mayfair’s after an exchange of 
greeting, he inquired for Miss Brainard. He was conducted to the 
nursery connected with the kindergarten, where she was found so 
engrossed with the care of her babies, as she called them, that she 
could talk of nothing else but them and their individual character- 
istics. So much did she resemble the young mother extolling the 
virtues of her first born that Edward and Mrs. Mayfair laughed out- 
right at her enthusiastic praise of her little charges. 

From the nursery Edward accompanied Mrs. Mayfair to the 
ndergarten, where about 30 blind children from 5 years of age 


m 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


upward to 12, were assembled. In front of each was a little desk 
upon which was placed a cushion and each child was engaged in 
making figures upon the cushion by sticking in pins ; the pins and 
cushion being the substitute for the drawing slate of the seeing 
child. 

Edward was shown in turn the type slate and the strings of 
beads used to teach mathematics. Several of the children read 
with great facility and considerable expression the raised print 
books and point characters in the usual manner of running the 
fingers lightly over the raised characters or points, raised by prick- 
ing holes through paper. 

From the studyroom Mrs. Mayfair conducted her guest to one 
of the music rooms, saying, “We want you to see how our children 
play ‘school.’” The teacher of one of the juvenile classes took 
her seat at the piano and began playing a march, whereupon many 
sweet voices joined in the song '‘Ring, ring happy bells,” 
keeping time with their marching feet. Nearer and nearer the 
children came until they crossed the threshold of the room, which 
they circled round until all were inside. Then, at a signal struck 
on the piano, all joined hands, facing the inner side of the circle, 
and began singing another merry song as they marched round and 
round. Instantly upon the cessation of the music they stood still. 
Then Edward heard the voice of a little girl repeating a piece she 
had learned. The voice sounded merry and full of mischief, and 
every now and then the sound of partly suppressed mirth came 
from different parts of the circle. When the little girl ceased 
speaking, a storm of applause from the clapping of little hands 
followed. Mrs. Mayfair explained to Edward that the little girl 
had stepped into the circle while she was speaking her piece. Re- 
suming her place in the circle, the music once more began, and 
once more the children circled round singing merrily. After 
several had been listened to, Mrs. Mayfair showed Edward the vshop 
where Sloyd was taught. The long, wide, covered runway lead 
back to the gymnasium, where a great variety of apparatus was 
inspected. At the farther end of the gymnasium was a miniature 
stage with waiting rooms on each. side. I have a pleasant surprise 
for you,” said Mrs. Mayfair; “I never told you of our children’s 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


it9 


orchestra. Our Professor Mitchell, to whom you were introduced 
on the occasion of your first visit to my home, has been wonder- 
fully successful in teaching these children to carry the parts in 
some very difficult orchestral productions; but we will let you 
listen to the music and judge for yourself. ” 

Edward had noticed that instruments were being tuned in 
an adjoining apartment, and presently the feet of about a dozen 
children were heard running up the steps leading to the platform 
followed by the moving of chairs and the usual bustle and noise of 
children taking their places for a class recital. When they were 
arranged. Professor Mitchell came forward, and, after exchanging 
greetings with Edward, took his seat at the piano which was on 
the floor in front of the stage. 

To say that Edward was astonished at the performance which 
followed is to fail utterly to do justice to the situation. Selection 
after selection was rendered with such expression and perfect 
time as to be truly astonishing, when Edward remembered that 
the performers were all under 12 years of age and some of them 
not more than six. 

Out into the playground next went Mrs. Mayfair with her 
visitor. Here were swings, seats, and various devices for the a- 
musement of the little folks. A miniature ravine, with the clean 
grassy, sloping banks about 10 feet deep by 100 feet long, formed 
part of the playground, and as the 30 merry little inmates of the 
school came rushing out, Edward thought of the lines in Whittier’s 
“School Days’’ — 

‘ ‘ The worn door-sill betraying 

The feet that creeping slow to school. 

Went storming out to playing. ’’ 

Never was a school playground more vociferous with the 
voices of playing children. And, so well did they know the location 
of every tree and shrub and where the edge of the ravine began, and 
where to find the swings, that Edward could hardly believe he was 
listening to the sports and games of children without sight. 

Calling a little fellow to her, Mrs. Mayfair asked Edward what 
he thought of her oldest baby. And, when Edward put his hands 
upon the boy’s shoulder and felt his head, while he drew out ans- 
wers to his questions from the child, he began to comprehend what 


m 


A RIFT IN THE CXOUD 


Mrs. Mayfair meant by her “oldest baby. “ The size 'of the child 
denoted that he must be at least 7 or 8 years of age ; but the mind 
was that of a backward 2 year old baby. After the child had been 
dismissed, Mrs. Mayfair explained : 

“The little boy was found by me §till lying in the cradle, al- 
though 7 years of age. His mother, a hard working woman, had 
never found time, or at least had never succeeded in teaching the 
child how to walk. After this boy had. been taught to walk, his 
father called at the nursery to see him. Appealing to one of the 
teachers, he inquired in broken English for his ‘little blind and 
crippled boy.' ‘Oh!’ said the teacher, ‘you have no crippled boy 
any more.’ When the little fellow appeared and was recognized, 
the father was over come with emotion as he embraced the child 
who appeared to him at least half transformed. ’’ 

Just at this juncture the lowing of a cow was heard in the dis- 
tance, and one of the little musicians, who had been hovering near 
Mrs. Mayfair and listening to the conversation, exclaimed, “Oh, 
foster-mamma, (that was the name by which all the children knew 
her) just listen to that cow’s ‘G’!’’ Both laughed and Edward, 
calling the bright little fellow to him, plied him with questions and 
discovered that the little six year old boy was as bright as a dollar, 
and not a whit behind any of the many bright seeing children to 
be found in the common schools. 

As Mrs. Mayfair wended her way back to the main building‘ 
she said : 

“We have found a new name for that little boy since he has 
been with us. And his history would make an exceedingly in- 
teresting story. Very few children of wealthy parents find their 
way into our institution, much more the pity; for they are de- 
prived of the advantages which our children enjoy ; but little Benny 
Van derb right is an exception. It was not until last year about 
this time that Benny even knew that he had a real mamma living; 
and if I never live to see my family of children here realize my 
hopes for their future, I shall feel fully rewarded for all my de- 
votion to their interests in the memory of the meeting of that moth- 
er and child. ’’ 

By this time they had reached the shade trees in front of the 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


i2l 

main building, and taking their seats under a wide spread- 
ing oak, the solitary survivor of the' virgin forest that once covered 
the Brightwood hills, Mrs. Mayfair continued : 

“Benny was a little waif picked up by me four years ago -at the 
Braintree Orphanage. Winifred Campbell had married Philip 
Vanderbright, who had taken his bride to grace his lovely suburb- 
an home on the banks of the ‘Hudson. Everything that heart 
could desire and wealth procure was freely bestowed upon thepetted 
and spoiled daughter of a New Orleans millionaire. The bride had 
brought with her a faithful Creole serving woman who had been 
her nurse when she herself first saw the light of day. To say that 
Daphne Le Grande worshipped her mistress is but justly to des- 
cribe the mother love exalted to devotion with which she re- 
garded Philip Vanderbright ’s wife. But there was one great fear 
which had possessed her ever since little Winifred had been placed 
in her arms. The mother of Winifred had sacrificed her reason 
with the birth of her child, and how her heart had ached when this 
mother had been compelled to leave her beautiful Southern home 
to become an inmate of a private sanitarium. Daphne had watched 
her child grow into a beautiful and accomplished maiden, sur- 
rounded by all the luxury that the love of a broken-hearted father 
could bestow upon his only offspring and she had trembled when 
she saw her Winifred arrayed in her bridal robes. ' Several times 
she had stolen from the room to weep tears of anguish, for she 
could not help feeling somehow that a great tragedy in the life of 
her darling was near at hand. 

One year later the tiny form of a baby was once more placed 
in her arms ; and once more the mother lay unconscious for days 
and days until the famous surgeon was induced to ask questions 
to discover if there were any marked peculairities nbticable in the 
physical and mental condition of her antecedents. At length 
some glimmerings of life and reason began to be manifest. Slowly 
but surely life and strength were returning. She had asked to 
have her little baby boy placed in her arms; ahd a few days later 
as Daphne was bathing the little fellow and the mother v\'as leaning 
over the edge of her couch eagerly watching his every movement, 
she had noticed a discoloration under the right arm of the child. 


122 


ARIFTINTHEaOUD 


Calling the attention of the nurse to it they examined it together 
and there found a birth mark in the exact shape of an anchor. 
That night Philip Vanderbright became the Wctim of a boiler ex- 
plosion on the little steamer that plied between Riverdale and the 
Metropolis. His quick step and joyous voice were missed by the 
young wife and mother that night, and the vague and unsatisfac- 
tory answers given to her questions day after day, as Philip failed 
to put in his appearance at her bedside, so alarmed her that she 
once more relapsed into a semi-conscious condition.^ No more did 
she appear to take interest in what was passing and the old fear 
took possession of Daphne that her mistress would soon follow in 
the footsteps of her unfortunate mother. Now it was that Daphne 
made a discover}^ which filled her cup of bitterness to overflowing. 
The beautiful, dark blue eyes of the sweet little baby boy intrusted 
to her care did not give evidence of sight. At first Daphne thought 
that the child must be very near sighted, but as she put the child’s 
eyes to test day after day, she became convinced that the child was 
blind. 

Knowing full well that if by a great good fortune the mother’s 
reason should survive the shock of her husband’s \'iolent death, 
the knowledge that her child was blind would surely unsettle her 
reason. Daphne concealed from eveiy'one her disco ver\% thinking 
each day, and all the night through, what she should do to save the 
reason, if not the life, of her beloved mistress. Finally her mind 
"was made up ; the mother must never know that her baby was bom 
blind. As yet the secret was all her own. 

That ver>^ night when she was supposed to be sleeping in her 
owm chamber with her little charge, she was in fact on her way to 
the great throbbing metropolis. The following morning she en- 
tered a foundling asylum, representing that she was in quest of a 
baby for adoption. Eagerly she scanned the faces of the little 
ones until she found one whom she felt sure would answer her pur- 
pose. The place was in charge of a matron, who, she ascertained, 
had frequently been permitted by the board to exercise her own 
judgment in finding homes for the little waifs abandoned by their 
unfortunate mothers. Placing a twenty dollar bill in the hands 
of the matron she told her that she had been commissioned to 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


123 


select a child for a very wealthy lady whose baby was no more and 
whose very life depended upon her being deceived. She must 
have this baby and it must leave no clue behind it by which it could 
be traced into its future home. As this condition had often been 
imposed by those taking these little foundlings into adoption, the 
matron, impressed by the kind, frank and honest face of Daphne, 
agreed to her terms, and the following night she with her httle 
charge had safely regained her apartments, accompanied by a Mrs, 
Beeman, who had at one time been a seamstress in the employ of 
the Vanderbright family. Mrs. Beeman had argeed for a con- 
sideration to take charge of, and care for, the little blind child, 
and the midnight train bore her and baby Vanderbright away 
from mother and home. 

The recovery of Mrs. Vanderbright was doubtful for many 
months, but she had youth and a strong constitution on her side 
and time and nature finally triumphed. Daphne made fortnightly 
visits to the home of Mrs. Beeman to pay her the stipend agreed 
upon for the care of fhe little blind baby and would sit for hours 
holding the httle one in her arms and shedding many silent tears 
when she thought of the great wrong she was doing. She had 
resolved that her own savings, which were considerable should 
be its portion and she had cherished the hope that the day would 
come when the wrong might be righted without endangering the 
life or reason of Mrs. Vanderbright. She had carefully avoided 
dressing the adopted child in the presence of her mistress, whose 
long continued illness had made it easier to deceive the mother. 

Mrs. Beeman, upon the death of a relative had inherited 
a small home in the httle country town of Braintree where she had 
removed with her httle charge and Daphne had been compelled 
to give up the frequent visits on account of the distance she was 
now obhged to travel lest her absence should give rise to inquiry’ 
that might lead to the discovery of her secret. The allowance 
was regularly sent, however, and when, two years later, Mrs. Bee- 
man had died. Daphne had seen her httle charge placed in the 
Braintree orphanage where it was fotmd by myself. During the 
next two years Daphne had several times visited httle Bennie Bee- 
man as he was caUed at the kindergarten in Brightwood and had 


J24 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


been delighted at the progress which the little fellow made under 
the loving care and training he received, for despite his blindness, 
he was in every way the intellectual superior of the adopted child. 
At length when four more years had passed and Bennie had made 
such progress that any mother might be proud of the little fellow, 
blind as he was — Daphne, who had never failed in her love for the 
little one grew more and more conscience stricken, ever fearing 
that the mother would discover the absence of the birth mark» 
which she had apparently forgotten. She at length resolved to 
keep her secret no longer, and one day when she and her mistress, 
who had once, more regained her health and spirits, were convers- 
ing of the backwardness of the supposed heir of the Vanderbright 
estates, and the mother was expressing her disappointment. Daphne 
believed the right time had come to unburden her mind. She had 
■just returned from a visit to the kindergarten, and the contrast 
between the bright, manly little boy and the dull and obstinate 
little fellow who had usurped Bennie’s place was so great that she 
felt sure that when her mistress saw how superior her own child 
'was to the adopted child, notwithstanding his blindness, the shock 
would be so tempered by her love and pride that she would now 
be 'able to bear the truth. Dropping on her knees before her mis- 
tress and taking both her hands in hers and recalling the old days 
of her mistress’s childhood by making use of the old familiar pet 
name of Winnie, she said: 

“Will you forgive your old nurse darling for a great and terrible 
wrong she has done, when she tells you that it was to save your 
life or reason that she was tempted to commit a terrible crime?’’ 

Smoothing back the gray locks of her faithful old nurse and 
holding back her head so that she coiild look her full in the eyes, 
Mrs. Vanderbright said: 

“I can forgive the only mother I ever knew anything she did 
out of her devotion to me; besides, I know it could not be so very 
terrible.” And then the whole story came out, and Daphne was 
overjoyed as she eagerly watched the changing expressions on the 
face of her beloved mistress. She saw the mother’s love, almost 
exultant, beaming from her face as she poured forth an eloquent 
tribute of praise of her own, her very own child. Springing to her 
feet and throwing her arms around her old faithful nurse, she wept 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


125 


like a child; then with sudden energy she aroused herself and, 
seizing Daphne by the hands, exclaimed: 

“Come, dear old mamma, don’t let us lose another moment ; I 
must go to my child. ’’ 

When later Mrs. Vanderbright with her own little boy clasped 
to her breast, had poured forth the story I have told you, you> can 
imagine how thankful I was for the part I had been permitted to 
take in the training of that bright little boy, who, blind as he is, 
is so much more precious to her than the waif she had had so long 
foisted upon her as her own. 

And now you have heard the rather lengthy, but to me the 
very interesting story of how Bennie Beeman turned out to be 
Bennie Vanderbright. Of course we had to spare Bennie for sev- 
eral months, but Mrs, Vanderbright was so grateful to me that 
she was finally persuaded to allow Bennie to come back, and that 
is how we come to have this little prince among us. ’’ 

Edward had listened with wonder as the story progressed and 
when Mrs. Mayfair had finished he reached out and took her hand, 
saying, “Surely you are blessed among women.” 

Edward accompanied Mrs. Mayfair to- her home — a modest 
unassuming dwelling in Bright wood- — where they talked over the 
future of Alice Brainard. ;i 


126 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER XXV. 

“Do you know, Mrs. Mayfair,” said Edward in the course of 
the conversation, “I am confident that I can obtain a position for 
Miss Brainard as operator of one of the Simplex type setting mar 
chines in the publication office of the American. I am told that 
Miss Brainard plays the piano, and the training of her fingers for 
this accomplishment will be of great service in enabling her to 
become a rapid operator of the Simplex key-board. ” 

“That would be splendid, Mr. Crawford, but do you really 
think she could do it?” 

“Undoubtedly,” continued Edward. “I have already tried it, 
anl S3 has my friend Green. The operation of the Simplex is not 
more difficult than the manipulation of a typewriter, and many 
blind people have become expert in the use of the tpyewriter. 
Talk with Miss Brainard about it, Mrs. Mayfair, and see if she would 
like to accept such a position. I am confident it would be far more 
remunerative and satisfactory than trying to obtain pupils in 
music, for, in the one case, she would have steady employment and 
but one employer to please, while, on the other hand, the seeing 
world has so little confidence in the blind that it is only by great 
good fortune that the very best of such teachers are able to secure 
a sufficient number of pupils to gain a livelihood. ” 

“I will certainly do so Mr. Crawford,” was the reply, “and I 
feel sure that Miss Brainard will be only too glad to secure such a 
position. ” 

Saying which, Mrs. Mayfair excused herself for a moment to 
answer a telephone call, and returned immediately to Edward, ex- 
claiming; “I have just received word from Mrs. Allheart that our 
good friend the Rev. Jonathan Steadfast is just leaving with her 
to make me a call, and I very much want you to meet them. You 
see, Mrs. Allheart is the Martha of our little household. My hus- 
band often refers to us as Ruth and Naomi, we are so inseparable 
in this work. I never should have had the strength to carry it 
through even thus far had not my good Mrs. Allheart taken upon 
herself the entire financial management of the undertaking.. Do 
you know the Rev. Jonathan Steadfast, Mr. Crawford?” 

“Know him,” exclaimed Edward, “what man in New Eng- 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


127 


land does not? He is one of those brave clergymen who, when 
the life of the nation was in peril, stood forth gallantly in its de- 
fense; one of those whose love of country breathed forth eloquence 
that enkindled the fire of patriotism in the hearts of brave men, 
until hill and dale resounded with the song, ‘We are coming. Fa- 
ther Abraham, three hundred thousand more. ’ 

“Why, what an eloquent tribute, Mr. Crawford. But he 
merits it. Much as this work appeals to every kind-hearted and 
generous person, our path has not been a smooth one, and we are 
indebted to Dr. Steadfast more than I can tell you for standing 
between us and that narrow, short-sighted policy of ‘penny wise 
and pound foolish’ economy exhibited by some of our would-be 
statesmen in our legislature. 

A ring at the door bell announced the arrival of the expected 
guests. The exchange of greetings and a half-hour’s discussion 
of the chances in life of the blind, and expressions from both Mrs. 
Mayfair and Mrs. Allheart of their hope that Edward would con- 
tinue the interest he had thus far manifested in the improvement 
of the opportunities for the employment of the adult blind, brought 
to a close the most enjoyable and instructive day Edward had ex- 
perienced since he had become blind. 

Two weeks later Alice Brainard took her first lesson on the 
Simplex, and in less than a month was regularly assigned to the 
position of machine compositor on the American, 


128 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

The existence of the submarine boat “Champion” had been 
disclosed to the President by Ergonsorat himself in a paper for- 
mulating his demands upon the government of the United States, 
and it was the reception of that paper that had been the cause of 
Edward’s summons to Washington for a conference with the Secre- 
tary of War referred to in a previous chapter. In that communi- 
cation to the President, Ergonsorat, after fully informing the 
President of his ability to enforce his demands by sending to the 
bDttom of the ocean any of the great ocean liners, whenever it 
pleased him to do so, Ergonsorat had demanded the immediate 
recognition of Filipino independence and the withdrawal of the 
troops of the United States from the Philippine Islands. The 
Secretary of War, at the instance of the President, had desired to 
confer with Edward in order that they might obtain all the infor- 
mation he possessed relating to his detection of Ergonsorat’s plans 
and the expedition of the revenue-cutter “ Spright ” that had re- 
sulted in the capture of the tramp steamer and the escape of the 
lead3r of the expedition. But the narration of the facts by Ed- 
ward had only served to increase the mystery of Ergonsorat’s 
escape. The relation by Edward of his conversation with the 
captain of the tramp steamer “Soreta” and of the strange action 
of the porpoise that had overturned the boat seized by Ergonsorat 
when he escaped, gave some color to the claims of Ergonsorat; but 
the failure of the submarine boat, if such there was, to attack the 
“Sprite” was argued to support the theory that no such boat ex- 
isted. Edward himself, after listening to the reading of the docu- 
ment, was convinced that the claims set forth in it by Ergonsorat 
were well founded. It was resolved, however, that the publicity 
of these demands and threats would serve no purpose except to 
alarm the public and demoralize the shipping interests. In the 
closing paragraphs of the communication Ergonsorat had stated 
that he was unwilling to sacrifice life and property unnecessarily, 


129 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 

aril that he would give the President two weeks to decide, at the 
end of which tii^e he would communicate with the President again 
by a cablegram sent him from the bottom of the ocean, and await 
his reply. It was therefore determined to wait until the promised 
cablegram should be received before any action was taken. Mean- 
while, a searching inquiry would be instituted through the various 
United States consuls to learn if possible, anything, of the building 
of such a submarine boat as that Ergonsorat claimed himself to 
com Hand. If such a vessel had been constructed in some foreign 
port and had been able to cross the ocean unaided fey any surface- 
sailing vessel, then, indeed, it might prove a formidable antagonist. 
Edward recalled the fact that a large number of barrels marked 
‘^Petrolium” were unloaded from the tramp steamer “Soreta** 
when the boxes purporting to contain pianos had been seized, and 
that they had turned out upon examination to be barrels of gaso- 
line. This served to confirm the opinion he had formed that 
Ergonsorat’s claims, though perhaps exaggerated, with reference 
to his ability to perform all that he threatened, were nevertheless 
based upon truth. But, as week after week passed and the prom- 
ised cablegram from the bottom of the ocean was not received, 
the President and the Secretary of War, who with Edward were 
the only persons having knowledge of the demand and threat con- 
veyed in Ergonsorat’s letter, began to be less anxious, though still 
greatly mystified. But on the day following the publication in 
the United States of the news from the Philippines that General 
Luna had been treacherously murdered by soldiers under the im- 
mediate command of Aguinaldo, the promised cablegram was 
received. The President answered it, and asked Ergonsorat to 
meet and confer with certain trusted representatives whom he 
would appoint, promising that if these trusted representatives, 
after a conference, should report that he, Ergonsorat, could en- 
force his demands in the manner threatened, and they were unable 
to convince him that the course of the United States in the Philip- 
pines was taken with a view to bettering the condition of the in- 
habitants thereof and bestowing upon them far greater advantages 
and greater security in the enjoyment of the blessings of peace than 
any government they themselves would at present be able to 


130 


ARIFTINTfiECtOUD 


establish, he, the President, would accord to Ergonsorat’s demands 
the fullest and ihost careful consideration. Ergonsorat replied, 
that, as the President appeared to doubt the ability of the sub- 
marine boat to' accomplish what he had claimed for it, there must 
first: be some positive proof forthcoming or the proposed conference 
would not' be fruitful of results. ' He would, therefore, postpone 
^any ' further parley until this proof was furnished. All attempts 
to ve-open communication with Ergonsorat after this last message 
was . received had failed, thus leaving the President in a position 
where he could do nothing but wait and watch events. 

Two days later, a great ocean greyhound belonging to the 
American line cleared the port of New York- for^ feouthanfpton. 
Grandly and majestically she moved out of the harbor freighted 
with more than a thousand precious lives and millions of property 
and treasure. On board of this little world in itself, were two 
persons in whom we are especially interested. One is a United 
States secret service official commissioned by both the president 
of the great steamship company and the President of the United 
States to watch for ’any appearance of danger from a submarine 
boat; and, if in his judgment it should become necessary to take 
tire captain of the steamship into his confidence, he was to do so, 
and in the case of a disagreement as to what course to pursue, the 
orders of the secret service official were to be received by the cap- 
tain as the orders of the steamship company. The other passenger 
in whom we are interested was a woman who has been mentioned 
in a previous chapter. On the morning of the second day of the 
ocean voyage the early risers walking the decks of the steamer on 
the ;port side saw a strange sight. A huge fish, resembling a por- 
poise, was speeding along on the surface of the sea at cut a mile 
from the steamer, and on its back was erected a flag^’ pole frcm 
which streamed the flag of the Filipino Republic. Two men could 
plainly be seen standing by the flag pole covering the .ship With 
their glasses. The strange fish appeared to move with the same 
speed as the great steamer. Upon viewing the strange sight the 
woman just referred to showed great agitation and demanded an 
immediate interview with the captain. She w^as conducted to 
him by the secret service official, who ever alert, had immediately 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


131 


connected this strange appearance with the woman’s agitation, 
and was instantly at her side and service. No sooner had they 
gained the captain’s quarters than the operator in charge of the 
wireless telegraphy instruments also appeared with the following 
message: 

'‘Captain of the steamer ‘Atlantic, ’ ahoy! The captain of the , 
submarine boat ‘Champion,’ in the service of the Filipino Repub- 
lic, commands, under penalty of immediate destruction, that you , 
return at once to the port of the United States and report to the 
President thereof that you have been stopped ttpon the high seas by 
a vessel belonging to the Filipino Republic, and that you have 
complied with the orders received from its commander, as the 
only alternative tb save your ship from being sunk in mid-ocean. ” 

Following immediately upon the delivery of this message, 
which the captain in his amazement had read altiud, Mr. Sharp, 
the detective, handed him the instructions of his company, thus 
the captain learned for the first time of the knowledge bu the part 
of the government of the threatened danger. After a short con- 
ference, both men turned to the woman who had been conducted 
into the presence of the captain. This woman* was none other 
than Tessa, the wife of Ergonsorat, whom last we saw in Paris. 
After waiting many weeks in Paris for intelligence from her hus- 
band, she had gone to America in quest of him,, and was now re- 
turning to her home in France. 

“ What have you to communicate to me,'’ said Captain Brad- 
ley. 

“Only to beg of you, sir, for the sake of the precious lives you 
^‘have on board this vessel, to comply with whatever demand the 
'commander of that boat may make,” answered Tessa. “1 know 
whereof I speak, when I declare to you that it is in his power to 
sink this great ship at any moment. ” 

“How came you by this knowledge?” 

“I am the wife of the commander, but he does not know of 
my presence on this ship. I have disobeyed his strict injunction, 
and much as he loves me, my presence here would be no protection 
to you except you follow my counsel; for, deeming me a traitor 
to him and his cause, his just wrath would be upon my head. I 
beg therefore that you will not disclose to him my presence here.” 


132 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


Both the captain and the detective assured her that she need 
have no fear of their making such a disclosure, and that they would 
pursue whatever course discretion and the safety of the passen- 
gers seemed to demand after which Mrne. Ergonsorat was requested 
to say nothing to alarm the passengers, but retire quietly to her 
own state room and await developments. Going immediately 
to the apartment occupied by the wireless telegraph apparatus, 
accompanied by Mr. Sharp, the captain dictated the following 
message in reply : 

“Captain, submarine boat ‘Champion.’ 

“Sir: — Can you demonstrate your ability to perform what 
you claim without injury to this ship? If so, I shall be justified 
in thq minds of all concerned in complying with your demands. ” 

In answer to this question came the order, “Clear the decks 
of your ship of all passengers as their lives may be endangered. 
In ten minutes I will explode a gun-cotton torpedo at a safe dis- 
tance from your ship that would send you to the bottom if ex- 
ploded under your keel. ’’ 

The order was hurriedly complied with by the captain, and 
true to the promise Of Ergonsorat, a torpedo was exploded. 

The concussion was so great however, that one of the smoke stacks 
of the steamer was thrown down, and several sailors, including the 
captain and the detective who had remained on deck to witness 
the explosion, received a shock long to be remembered. The dem- 
onstration was complete ; the message was sent to Ergonsorat that 
his orders would be complied with immediately. The signals were 
given, and the great ship put about and began its return voyage 
to New York. The flag and flag pole disappeared from the back 
of the porpoise, followed by the men, and the great fish sank out 
of sight. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 133 


CHAPTER XXVII. 

When Edward Crawford reached Elmdale, after visiting Mrs. 
Mayfair, he found a letter from Washington informing him that 
a man named Sharp who belonged to the secret service of the gov- 
ernment, would be in Elmdale, at the Eagle Hotel, on the follow- 
ing day, where Edward was asked to meet him fora conference. 

Since Edward’s interview with the Secretary of War he 
had been informing himself concerning the manufacture and 
sale of gasoline, and had arranged, through confidential corre- 
spondence, to be informed concerningall shipments by the man- 
ufacturers of that product to New England consumers. Each 
day Griggs had carefully gone over these reports, tabulating 
them and keeping strict watch to discover, if possible, a clew 
that would lead to a further discovery of great importance to 
the government of the United States. Nor were his labors un- 
rewarded. A country grocer named Samuel Waddoms, whose 
place of business was located at Singleton, near the Massasoit 
river, who had been in the habit of ordering two barrels of gas- 
oline a week, had suddenly increased his order to ten barrels 
per week, and further inquiry developed the fact that his cus- 
tomer for the extra eight barrels was the owner of a small fish- 
ing smack, who called regularly once a week for his merchan- 
dise, paying for the same each time in gold. Through a build- 
er of the fishing smacks used in that vicinity, who happened a- 
round at the right time to get a good view of that particular 
specimen of sailing craft, Edwar4 learned where it was built, 
and as it was comparatively new he had little difidculty in lo- 
cating the owner. 

No attempt had been made to follow the “ Bat’s Wing ” — 
which was the name of the fishing smack — as Edward felt con- 
fident that if his suspicions were correct, the person in charge 
of her would be alert to discover any appearance of a watch be- 
ing kept upon her movements, and it would not do to arouse 


134 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


even the slightest suspicion in that quarter. For this reason 
Edward had preferred to discover her owner in the manner we 
have mentioned. The services of the captain of another fish- 
ing smack sailing from Bridgewater, the home of the captain of 
the “ Bat’s Wing, ’’had been employed to watch her movements, 
and if possible to discover what disposition was made of the 
barrels of gasoline. He had reported that after watching the 
“Bat’s Wing” for several weeks, without in any way giving 
rise to a suspicion of his purpose, he had become satisfied that 
her cargo of gasoline was unloaded in Devil’s Cave. Devil’s 
Cave is a deep, dark cavern which inroads of the waves had cre- 
ated by their action upon the sandstone deposite on the rock- 
bound coast of Deadmen’s Isle, so called from a legend going" 
back to the time of Captain Kidd, when a party of fishermen, 
attracted by the barking of a dog in Devil’s Cave, had discover- 
ed a row-boat with the bodies of four men in it, who Jiad gone to 
search for ihe buried treasure of that buccaneer. For this 
reason the fisher folk had given Deadmen’s Isle a wide berth, 
and none of them were found who were brave enough to build 
their cabins upon it 

Edward had informed the President of his discovery, but it 
was not until his conference with Detective Sharp that he learned 
what had transpired at sea; for it had been given out in the papers 
that the return of the “Atlantic” was due to the breakage of an 
important part of her machinery. 

When the captain of the fishing smack made his report to 
Edward that he had discovered where the cargo of the “Bat’s 
Wing” was unloaded and that the barrels of gasoline were regu- 
larly emptied the following night, Edward commissioned him to 
endeavor to secrete himself in Devil’s Cave and ascertain what 
kind of vessel came for the gasoline. When next the fisherman 
appeared he had, what to him, was an astonishing tale to tell. 
His account of what he saw was, that about an hour after he had 
secreted himself and his boat in one of the dark side caverns of 
Devil’s Cave, the entire cave was suffused by light just as a great 
fish showed its body above the water near the raft of which the 
barrels of gasoline had been unloaded, arid that two men opened the 


135 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 

back of the fish ^ and stepped on to the raft; and that after the 
gasoline had been pumped out of the barrels into the great fish the 
two men had returned from whence they came, the light disap- 
peared, and the fish made its way slowly out of the cavern. This 
was just the intplligeuce that Edward had been waiting for, and 
when he disclosed fh'^.tosult of his investigations to Sharp, they 
went immediately to interview the captain of the “Sprite,” with 
the result that the next dark night the “Sprite” made her way to 
the mouth of Devil’s Cave, carrying on board men experienced 
in blasting with dynamite cartridges. Before morning they had 
succeeded in placing a large number of these cartridges in the side 
walls and roof of the entrance to the cave, connected by wires. .with 
a battery so that the detective could explode them instaritly by 
touching an electric button, which could be operated from a safe 
place of concealment. The following night the detective and 
fisherman, concealed in the cave, .awaited events. At about eleven 
o’clock their vigil was rewarded by the appearance, of the light and 
the great fish, just as the captain had described it. Detective 
Sharp waited until the men from the submarine boat “ Champicn” 
were on the raft, and then pressed the button. An instant later 
there was a loud explosion followed by a crash of falling rock. .The 
two nieri stood on the r.aft, as if stunned, and looked at each other 
for a moment, when one of them exclaimed: . 

“We are caught like a rat in a trap! ” 

They at once abandoned the raft ^nd immediately boarded 
the submarine .craft which moved slowly towards the entrance. 
Here their further progress was impeded — the entrance to. the 
cavern being so completely blocked up by the fallen rock that, even 
a small row boat could not have rhade its way out. The two 
vratchers then made their escape through .another entrance to 'the 
cave, which the captain had discovered to be the end of cne of the 
long, deep galleries he had followed on. a previous visit. . Although 
the egress was no larger- than would admit the passage of a small 
row boat, it answered their purpose admirably. They made their 
way hastily back to Bridgewater, where they found the ,“ Sprite.” 
with Edward on board awaiting their return. The following morn- 
ing, as soon as it was light, the “Sprite” made its way to the cave. 


138 


ARIFTINTHECLOUb 


magical touch of love was in the sound of that voice; or was it 
merely the tenderness of pity ? 

Late into the night she lay awake torn by conflicting emotions. 
Now she was in the seventh heaven, and now with bitterness of 
soul, humiliated and broken, she would cast from her the thought 
that what she had discovered was aught but pity. Hew eagerly 
she longed to hear that voice once more^ that she might search it 
with thie scrutiny of one who, clinging to the wreck of a sunken 
ship, searches the broad expanse of ocean for the sight of a friendly 
sail. Then, burying her face in her pillow, she cnce more sought 
the refuge of those soothing spirits; and later, like a grief-stricken 
child, enfolded in the embrace of its mother, she sank quietly to 
sleep. 

, Tha^t night as Herbert turned his steps homeward, he did not 
walk with the brisk pace that was his wont; he was thinking of 
what had transpired. The delicious and maddening poison into 
which blind Eros dips the points of his arrows was coursing through 
his veins. His mind went back to a bright sunny afternoon when 
a beautiful, wild canary had sought refuge through the open win- 
dow of his room from the fierce attack of sparrows. He had picked 
it up from where it lay exhausted and trembling and tried to sooth 
it .as he held it in one hand and tenderly stroked it with the other ; 
but it shrank from his every touch and trembled the more until 
he pressed it gently and lovingly against his cheek when it had seem- 
ed to understand. Slowly it became pacified, but when freed frorrf 
the gentle restraint, it rested for awhile until it regained its strength,, 
and then suddenly flew out of the window and w^as gone. Herbert 
remembered how at parting with Alice he had for a moment im- 
prisoned her hand in his; how it had trembled, and how quickly 
it was withdrawn when released from his gentle pressure. Would 
she, too, like the bird, find freedom in flight? When they should 
meet again, would she repel him by a studied reserve because of 
the liberty he had taken? Slower and more slow became his pace, 
until, turning and placing his arms upon the rail of a bridge that 
spanned a small inlet of the sea, he looked out upen the, water. His 
body waited upon his mind, which, as in a vision, saw tw^o lovers 
in sweet companionship wandering through Elisian fields; saw 


ARIFTINTHEaOUD / 


139 


them enter a glade whose overhanging foliage, stirred by a gentle 
breeze laden with the perfume of flowers, ^:ast shadows,' whkh, like 
tiny elves gleefully danced and frolicked along their pathway , and 
here amid the songs of birds and the sound of falling waters frcm 
numerous fountains, love reigned supreme. 

• The next morning when Herbert, referring to the evening he 
had spent with Alice at the Fairchilds, had spoken enthusiastically 
of her accomplishnients. something in his voice, when he feached 
that part of the account which told of the sweetness and expressien 
she had thrown into her. song, caused Edward to wonder a little 
but when later in the day Edward surprised Herbert practicirg 
upon the Braille writing machine he smiled. Herbert with z€rv:e 
confusion confessed that he was writing to Alice, explaining that 
he was making an appointment to read a book to her in which they 
were both interested. Edward was not a little pleased vitb-his 
discovery. He had come to regard Herbert with more than a 
feeling of friendship, and he saw no reason why these IW'O pro- 
teges of his should not be the best of friends. 

When Alice received Herbert’s letter, she, too, smdled; but 
hers was a smile of gladness for here at least was further evidence 
of Herbert’s pleasure in her companionship. The book, too, was 
one in which she was much interested. Herbert had spoken to her 
of the great and satisfying belief which the study of the theory of 
evolution and the future greatness of man had induced. 

“What is more beautiful,’’ he had exclaimed, “than the 
thought of the upward growth of the tree of life, from the deep, 
dark chasm of the past, until, making its way out into the light 
of day, its blossoms and fruitage promise even greater things in 
store. For, if with steady unfolding, man’s body bad become a 
worthy dwelling place for the spirit of God, to what greatness might 
he not aspire?’’ 

“Yes,’’ she had rejoined, “how this thought w^ould clear up 
the mysteries which, like rocks, have blocked the pathway of 
earnest seekers after truth; for, in the light of this higher knowl- 
edge we can realize and understand that Confucius, Buddha ard 
Socrates, like Abraham and Moses, were only torch-bearers to light 
up the spiritual darkness of man until God should send his only 
beloved Son, not in a chariot of fire from which men should flee in 


138 


ARIFTINTHECLOUt) 


magical touch of love was in the sound of that voice; or was it 
merely the tenderness of pity ? 

Late into the night she lay awake torn by conflicting emotions. 
Now she was in the seventh heaven, and now with bitterness of 
soul, humiliated and broken, she would cast from her the thought 
that what she had discovered was aught but pity. How eagerly 
she longed to hear that voice once more^ that she might search it 
with thie scrutiny of one who, clinging to the wreck of a sunken 
ship, searches the broad expanse of ocean for the sight of a friendly 
s^il. Then, burying her face in her pillow, she once more sought 
the refuge of those soothing spirits; and later, like a grief-stricken 
child, enfolded in the embrace of its mother, she sank quietly to 
sleep. 

, That night as Herbert turned his steps homeward, he did not 
walk with the brisk pace that was his wont; he was thinking of 
what had transpired. The delicious and maddening poison into 
which blind Eros dips the points of his arrows was coursing through 
his veins.. His mind went back to a bright sunny afternoon when 
a beautiful, wild canary had sought refuge through the open win- 
dow of his room from the fierce attack of sparrows. He had picked 
it up from where, it lay exhausted and trembling and tried to sooth 
it .as he held it in one hand and tenderly stroked it with the other; 
but it shrank from his every touch and trembled the more until 
he pressed it gently and lovingly against his cheek when it had seem- 
ed to understand. Slowly it became pacified, but when freed front 
the gentle restraint, it rested for awhile until it regained its strength, 
and then suddenly flew out of the window and w^as gone. Herbert 
remembered how at parting with Alice he had for a moment im- 
prisoned her hand in his; how it had trembled, and how quickly 
it was withdrawn when released from his gentle pressure. Would 
she, too, like the bird, find freedom in flight? When they should 
meet again, would she repel him by a studied reserve because of 
the liberty he had taken? Slower and more slow became his pace, 
until, turning and placing his arms upon the rail of a bridge that 
spanned a small inlet of the sea, he looked out upon the water. His 
body waited upon his mind, which, as in a vision, saw tw^o lovers 
in sweet companionship wandering through Elisian fields; saw 


A RIFT IN THE aOUD / 


J39 


them enter a glade whose overhanging foliage, stirred by a gentle 
breeze laden with the perfume of flowers, t^ast shadows; which, like 
tiny elves gleefully danced and frolicked along their pathway , and 
here amid the songs of birds and the sound of falling waters ircvri 
numerous fountains, love reigned supreme. - . 

• .The next ruorning when Herbert, referring to the evening he 
had spent with Alice at the Fairchilds, had spoken enthusiastically 
of her accomplishments, something in his voice, . when he fCached 
that part of the account which told of the sweetness and expression 
she had thrown into her song, caused Edward to wonder a little 
but when later in the day Edward surprised Herbert practkirg 
upon the Braille writing machine he smiled. Herbert with scire 
confusion confessed that he was writing to Alice, explaining that 
he was making an appointment to read a book to her in which they 
were both interested. Edward was not a little pleased vilb'.his 
discovery. He had come to regard Herbert with more than a 
feeling of friendship, and he saw no reason why these two pro- 
teges of his should not be the best of friends. 

When Alice received Herbert’s letter, she, tco, sm.iled; but 
hers was a smile of gladness for here at least was further evidence 
of Herbert’s pleasure in her companionship. The book, tco, was 
one in which she was much interested. Herbert had spoken to her 
of the great and satisfying belief which the study of the theory of 
evolution and the future greatness of man had induced. 

“What is more beautiful,’’ he had exclaimed, “than the 
thought of the upward growth of the tree of life, from the deep, 
dark chasm of the past, until, making its way out into the light 
of day, its blossoms and fruitage promise even greater things in 
store. For, if with steady unfolding, man’s bcdy had teccm.e a 
worthy dwelling place for the spirit of God, to what greatness might 
he not aspire?’’ 

“Yes,’’ she had rejoined, “how this thought vould clear up 
the mysteries which, like rocks, have blocked the pathway of 
earnest seekers after truth; for, in the light of this higher knowl- 
edge we can realize and understand that Confucius, Buddha ard 
Socrates, like Abraham and Moses, were only torch-bearers to light 
up the spiritual darkness of man until God should send his only 
beloved Son, not in a chariot of fire from which men should flee in 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


,140 

terror, but, as the inost perfect and beautiful blossom on the tree of 
life. .And when the ruthless hand of ignorance and selfishness 
plucked this blossom from its stem God implanted it forever in the 
hearts of the good and the true, where even the jaws of wild 
beasts, set on by unregenerate man, could not reach it — 
there to bloom until its beauty, sweetness and fragrance shall regen- 
erate the world. ” 

‘‘What a beautiful simile,” Herbert had replied, not a little 
surprised. 

Thus, evening after evening was spent together. So full of 
joy was Alice in this new, life that she began to feel guilty that she 
should in her happiness lose her concern for others. But she had 
not long to wait before an opportunity to help another presented 
itself in the case of a young man who, with a widowed mother 
depend ing upon him for support, had recently become blind. 


ARIFTINTHECXOUD 


141 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

Soon after Dick Green, through the help of Edward, had be- 
come regularly installed as an employee in the job printing es- 
tablishment of the American, he had been enabled by great good 
fortune to get possession once more of his old home, and when 
Alice came to Elmdale Mrs. Green had secured her as a boarder. 
Edward, and Herbert Griggs frequently dropped in for an evening, 
and* at length the project of forming an association to assist the 
adult blind to obtain employment was discussd^. Inquiries had 
been set on foot to obtain as much information" as possible con- 
cerning the adult blind residing in Elmdale. which brought to 
light the case of Clarence Wellsby, the young blind man referred 
to at the close of the preceeding chapter. And when Mrs. Green 
learned the facts concerning Clarence Wellsby, she at once im- 
parted her information to Alice. 

Clarence Wellsby was the only support of his widowed mother, 
whose health had been undermined by the shock of the sudden and 
violent death of her husband. His tender solicitude and filial 
devotion went far towards restoring and reconciling her to her 
great loss. He took pride in making their home as pleasant and 
comfortable as possible. And his diligence and painstaking labor 
in the service of his employer had been duly appreciated and he had 
been rapidly advanced until his income as a stenographer and 
typewriter was considerable. But little by little, he began to ex- 
perience difficulty in making out his stenographic notes. At first 
h3 hal thcaglit the fault was in his writing, but finally concluded 
that it mist be some temporary difficulty with his sight. As he 
was frequently required to do night work, which he found very 
trying, he had several times resolved to have his eyes examined, 
but put it off from time to time, half fearing that if he did so, he 
would be required to stop his work at least for a time. This he 
felt he could not afford to do. But so rapidly did the trouble ad- 
vance that he could put it off no longer. 


J42 


A RIpT 1HE (?I.<?UD 


It was as he had ^ared. The eminent specialist he consulted 
had said that his eyes must have complete rest, at the same time 
expressing the fear that even this mi^ht not arrest the disease. 

The physician’s fear was oniy too well founded; for although 
Clajrence gavp pp hi^ ^position, in ^ess thap dhr.ee mopths he could 
hardly distinguish light. He had strivep very .hard to keep from 
,his mother the; knowledge pt the awful calamity that ad Ipef alien 
him. ' ill > 

When the income of I)er sqn was sl^ut off,;,]^i:s. Wellshy under- 
took to provide or Their necessities by her needle, but with little 
success; and th^, truth began to force itself upon Clarence that his 
I mother’s ^strength wps fast giving wa}^,undpr the .strain, an,d-be 
therefore decided to follow the advice of the Elmdale specialist, 
and place l^imself under the carpj and treatment of men moie 
, eminent^ in the prosefsion, thus necessitating a trip tp New York. 

Wh^p Clarenjce Wellsby .returned from his yisit to New York, 
he withheld Jrom his mother intelligence that, there was no 
further hope of his retaining his sight. He, in fact, affected to .be 
much mpre cheerful than he had been b^fpre going, and his mother, 
^who never even for a moment guessed th^, seriousness of his trouble, 
interpreted, his manner as Clarence had, intepded ^be, should.., Clar- 
ence himself decided to apply for admission \o the Bpdwin fpstitu- 
jtio.n for the Blind, hoping that he might,.the,j*p^ obtain instruction 
that wpuld enable, him to still be of spipe usein the world. . ' Al- 
though his mother endeayoreh to keep it frpm him, he, was aware 
that .each month, as the rent fell due, some, article of furniture or 
other valuable had gone, apd finally when the much priced .set of 
old china that had been his rnother’s .jwedding gift had to go, he 
^nade up his mind that he niust do something without further delay. 
He yf3,s sure that it ^yould not answer to, let his mother know the 
worst, for it was her hope alone that was keeping her from utter 
physical collapse. ^ . 

. One. afternoon when a _ friend was visit;ng him he succeeded 
in getting off a letter to Dr. Greathead, the pripcipal of the God- 
win Institute, explaining his condition fully, and giving_ particulars 
concerning his former occupation, age, etc. He requested Dr. 
Greathead to address his answer to the friend who had assisted 
him in writing the letter, but this request had been overlooked 


A RIFT IN TH E CLOUD 

by the latter's amanuensis, who, in obedience to Dr. Greathead's 
instructions, simply wrote a note at the bottom of Clarence’s letter 
explaining that as he was more than eighteen years of age he could 
not be received at the institution, and returned his application to 
him, addressing it to him personally. The reception of the letter 
was an occasion long to' be remembered. His mother for some 
time had opened and read his correspondence to him, so when this 
letter was handed in by the poStman she received it, bpefied it, 'and 
seated herself in her favorite rocking chair to read it. Clarence 
supposing that she had received a letter addressed to herself, 
thought nothing strange that she did not read it aloUd. ‘Wheti 
she had apparently finished the letter she started up ‘ from' her 
chair to come towards him exclaiming : 

“0, my boy, my poor boy!” • ..i 

But before she reached him she fainted and fell to' 'the 'floor. 
Raising her in his arms — for she was a very frial and delicate 
woman — he carried her into her bedroom And placed her how al- 
most lifeless form upon the bed. And while he whs engaged in 
bathing her head and rubbing her hands, he did hot observe the 
entrance of strangers, until Mrs. Green, accompanied by Alice 
Brainard came rapidly forward to assist him in reviving his 
mother. They had rapped at the screen door, but upon hearing 
Clarence’s exclamations of ” Mother, dear mother, do speak to me” 
hastened in just in time to be of the utmost assistance. Mrs. Green 
was not long in reviving the fainting woman, who, upon regaining 
her reason exclaimed : 

’ “Where am I? What has happened?” 

Then as if suddenly recalling what she had read in the letter, 
she said. 

“ O, I know, I know r My poor boy, my poor boy !” '' 

Clarence was at her bedside in a moment, and taking his 
mother in his arms, tried to soothe her, saying: ‘ 

“Never mind mother dear, it will all be right. Do not grieve. 
Here are friends who have called to see you. ” 

Clarence then explained to Mrs. Green and Alice what had 
happened, whtieupon Alice, guided by the voices of mother and 
son, glided quickly to the bedside, and taking one of Mrs. Wellsby’s 
hands in hers said: 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


144 


“ Dear lady, do not take this so to heart ; I am sure it was provi- 
dential that we should come this way at this very time, for we have 
good news for you and your son. Look at me dear lady; I am 
blind too, yet I am not unhappy, and your son will find that he 
has not lost everything by losing his sight. Our errand here was 
for the very purpose of showing him how it is possible for him to 
employ himself.” Then addressing herself to Clarence she said: 

“I am sure you will pardon me Mr. Wellsby, but when Mrs. 
Green told me of your misfortune and I learned that you were an 
expert typewriter, I could hardly wait until I came to tell you how 
readily you could make use of your knowledge of tpyewriting by 
learning to operate the Simplex typesetting machine. I am totally 
blind, but this is my work every day and I am told that I give full 
satisfaction. So cheer up dear friends, let us look on the bright 
side of this calamity. ” 

Alice’s words hac^ the effect of a tonic upon both mother and 
son, and when Clarence asked his mother if she felt well enough to 
sit up in her chair, she made an effort to walk and was soon com- 
fortably seated, listening to Alice as she further related how she 
herself had been rescued from the Stoneville poorhouse and in- 
stalled as machine operator for the American, 

The effect upon Clarence of this recital was almost magical, 
and when Mrs. Green and Alice, after promising to call the next 
day and bring Clarence a plan of the keyboard for the Simplex, took 
their departure, Clarence was so jubilant and light-hearted that 
his mother not only recovered from the shock that the letter had 
given her but appeared to share the hopefulness and joy of her son. 
And many times thereafter Clarence expressed his thankfulness 
for what he considered a most fortunate circumstance, notwith- 
standing the shock and pain that had accompanied the sudden 
revelation to Mrs. Wellsby of her son’s real condition. 

“It was all for the best dear mother,” he said, “even though 
it was such a shock to you ; for, had the disappointment come to 
me alone dispelling all hope for the future, I should not have had 
the courage to face the poverty and want that would have been in 
store for you and me. It nearly broke my heart to see you parting 
day by day with our little home furnishings, knowing that the time 
would come when there would be no more to part with, and I had 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


145 


already half resolved to take an effectual step to relieve you of the 
burden of my support in case I could find no way to earn money. ” 
“I thank God,” replied the mother, ‘‘that neither of us was 
permitted to remain long under such a dreadful .apprehension for 
the future. What an angel of mercy Miss Brainard was, and she 
blind too; poor girl! Why, to hear her talk, you would think she 
was the happiest of mortals; and you, too, Clarence, you. seem 
almost like the boy you were before this dreadful misfortune came- 
upon you. I had almost given up my faith in prayer, but I know 
now that God has sent this dear good girl to comfort and help us. ” 
On their way home Mrs. Green asked Alice if she did not think 
she had raised Mr. Wellsby’s hopes too high. 

“I know,” she said, “he will be able to learn to operate the 
machine, my dear, without any difficulty, but after he does so, it 
may be a long time before he can find employment; ” 

“Then he shall have half of my time,” exclaimed Alice; ‘.‘I 
couldn’t have done any less, my dear; we had to bring those pcor 
souls back from that awful despair which welcomes death. I have 
experienced the utter misery of it all and no other course was left 
open to me. But don’t let us admit impossibilities; I feel sure 
that a way will open that will fulfill all the promises I have made. ” 
When they reached home Alice was delighted to find Herbert 
Griggs awaiting her, for she wanted to tell him all about her visit 
to Mrs. Wellsby’s. Herbert had been waiting some time, as he 
had planned to drive Alice over to Gleefort, where they were to 
spend another delightful evening at Mrs. Fairchild’s; and, telling 
her that he would listen to her story after she had had her supper 
and they were on their way, he led her into the house and playfully 
placed her in her seat at the table where supper was waiting her 
return. On their way to Gleefort Alice related to him all that had 
happened that afternoon, and when she came to the part where Mrs. 
Green had expressed herself as fearful that after all it might be- 
difficult to find employment for Clarence Wellsby, Herbert had 
promised to help her, saying: 

“I’m sure I know a way and I will tell you my plan sometime. ” 
Alice wondered a little why he could not tell her tben, but 
thinking that perhaps he wanted time in which to find out where 
there would be a chance for Clarence to get a machine, she said 


146 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


no more. 

Mrs. Fairchild, with the usual perception of her sex, had not 
been slow to place the right interpretation upon Herbert’s atten- 
tions to Alice Brainard, and before the evening was over she had 
contrived to leave the lovers alone in the summer house. For 
some. time they sat quietly listening to the play of the fountain and 
the hum of insect life about them; then Herbert, making a prisoner 
of Alice’s hand said: “Miss Brainard — Alice — dearest Alice, my 
heart is so full of love for you, that I can no longer remain silent. 
For weeks in my waking hours and in my dreams I have thought 
only of you and how happy I should be if you would be my wife. 
As my wife you would no longer have a care, for it should be my 
constant study to make your life as free and happy as a bird’s. 

This, too, is the plan which I promised would open a way for 
you to satisfy the hopes and expectations of Clarence Wellsby. 
And now dear Alice, remember that on your answer depends the 
future happiness of more than one. Let my great love and his 
necessity plead for me.” 

“Dear Herbert,’’ she replied, “I will not withhold from you 
the truth or pretend, that I have not foreseen your avowal, but I 
could not bring myself to look beyond this hour. Since I divined 
your love for me, in the tenderness which every tone of your voice 
expressed, I have been content to live on, as it were, in a beautiful 
and realistic dream, ever fearful that I should awaken. I have not 
dared to think what I should say to you. ’’ 

“Say to me Alice? Why is it not enough that you love me? 
What then can possibly stand in the way of our happniess? ’’ 

“It is not alone our love that should be consulted. Herbert, 
and I must not allow it to hide from me the fact that I am blind. 
You should have a wife who could stand by 3^our side in the social 
world. You must never know what I have felt when entering a 
social gathering. I have noted the change which my presence has 
wrought, and I somehow feel if I consented to this union you too, 
might sometimes become the object of pity for having allowed 
your better judgment to be overruled by your love for me. Let 
us go on dear Herbert happy in each other’s companionship, until 
time shall show what is right for us to do. ’’ 

Herbert would not press her further at this time. A great 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


J47 


fear had taken possession of his heart that perhaps after all, she" 
like the beautiful canary, would fly away. Without another word 
he took her arm and they walked out of the summer house into the 
garden, where they were soon joined by little Marie and her mother. 

The following day being a holiday, Mrs. Fairchild had pre- 
vailed upon Alice to remain over and spend it with her and Marie, 
and Herbert promised to come for her the following evening. He ' 
was also to keep her promise to carry the plan of the key-board 
of the Simplex to Clarence Wellsby. The sadness in Herbert’s 
voice at parting so affected Alice that she would have called him 
back but she could not speak. Something, she could not explain 
what, sealed her lips, and weeping bitterly she did not notice the 
approach of Mrs. Fairchild until that lady’s arms were around her 
and she was saying — “Dear child! What grief is this? Tell me 
all about it dear and let me comfort you. ” 

Gently leading her back to the settee where she and Herbert 
had been seated for a half hour or more before the parting, Mrs. 
Fairchild begged her to unburden her heart to her, and Alice grow- 
ing more calm, told her what had transpired in the summer house, 
and appealed to her to give her the counsel she could ask of her 
mother if she had one. 

Mrs. Fairchild then told Alice that she would relieve her of all 
anxiety on the score of fulfilling the hopes of Clarence Wellsby, 
“for,” said she, “Mr. Fairchild and I have decided to employ a 
governess for little Marie, and I know of no one whom I would 
so readily trust with the education of my little Marie as you,my 
dear.” 

This was indeed a balm for Alice’s sorrowful heart. Truly 
this beautiful home of John Fairchild’s was at once a refuge and^a 
haven of peace. Here she could pour out her heart to Herbert, 
and make him see and understand how it was possible for them to 
still be happy in the enjoyment of a pure and sacred friendship. 
A friendship like that of Paula for Jerome, with a divine sympathy 
for each other which would enable them to bear each other’s bur- 
dens, soothe each other’s resentments, hide each other’s faults 
rebuke without malice, praise without hypocricy and rejoice with- 
out envy. Then, when he vshould have chosen the wife who, stand- 
ing by his side, would be in all respects his equal, she could lore 


148 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


him still with a love that only exists between such friends. Such 
a beautiful friendship would fill her heart with joy. Could he not 
understand ? She would write him a letter that very night so that 
when he came again she would know. 

When Herbert had finished reading the letter he received from 
Alice, his love cried out with a thousand tongues against such an 
ending of his hopes. That Alice loved him sincerely, devotedly 
and unselfishly was all the more apparent from her willingness to 
secure his future happiness, even at the expense of her own. 

What was it to him that she was blind? Were not their souls 
united? He would not give her up for the society of a hundred 
worlds, and to every one who learned to know her, envy, and not 
pity for him, would be far more likely. 

But it was not what he thought but what Alice had decided 
beforehand for him that was the obstacle to be overcome. He 
would so blot out every other phase of his existence in the world, 
and live so entirely in her world that she would be convinced at 
last that her judgment was at fault. Nothing should be im- 
possible to his love, and if she still refused because she was blind, 
love would help him restore her sight. 

The moment this thought took possession of him, he clung to 
it as a drowning man clings to a straw. Why not! It was only 
a few days ago that he read an account of a person whose sight 
was restored, after many years of blindness. The world moves on 
and such great progress is made each year in all the sciences, that 
what was thought to be beyond the reach of human skill but yes- 
terday, succumbs tomorrow to the concentrated gaze of the thou- 
sands of eager searchers after truth. 

More than ten years had passed since Alice’s case had been 
considered and pronounced hopeless. He would write Alice and 
tell her that he had performed the commission she had given him, 
that Clarence Welsby was over-joyed with the prospect of steady 
employment and that urgent business would take him, Herbert, 
out of town for a few days. 

The noon express to Bodwin numbered Herbert among its 
passengers, and that evening the house surgeon of the famous 
Bodwin Eye and Ear Hospital looked back over the record of 


A RIFT IN THE CXOUD 


149 


cases until he found the diagnosis] made ten years before, in the 
case of Alice Brainard. There it was written out with the greatest 
particularity. The house surgeon stated that these records were 
constantly studied by the medical students connected with that 
institution and whenever any advancement in the knowledge of 
diseases of the eye seemed to warrant it, a new diagnosis would be 
made in the case of an old patient. He recalled two instances in 
which after a lapse of more than fifteen years another examination 
had resulted in the restoration of sight, and a recent operation 
removing a pre-natal cataract in the case of a penson who had been 
blind for forty years had been reported. 

Thus encouraged, Herbert secured a copy of the record, and 
a list of the most famous specialists on diseases of the eye, in 
Europe and America. 

Keeping his own counsel he forwarded a copy of this record 
to each. He received many replies, but that which he considered 
the most encouraging came from a celebrated Austrian specialist 
located in Vienna. 

He now took Mrs. Fairchild into his confidence, and was sur- 
prised and overjoyed to learn that she and Mr. Fairchild had been 
for some time contemplating a tour of Europe. 

“It will be just the thing,” she exclaimed, “nothing easier. 
Now that Alice is Marie’s governess, she will accompany us, and 
when we reach Vienna, I will persuade her to call with me on 
Doctor Gratz. ” 

To say that Herbert’s life for the next three months was filled 
with the alternate hope and despair of a man whose life depends 
upon the clemency of an unknown sovereign is but faintly to de- 
scribe his feelings. 

Alice, true to her pledge of friendship, was a faithful corres- 
pondent, and when the letter came which told of her call on Dr. 
Gratz, and of his consent to undertake an operation, his faith was 
so strengthened that he obtained the mastery over his excited 
nerves and actually resumed work that he had found himself utterly 
incapacitated to undertake. 

His letters now came from Mrs. Fairchild instead of Alice. 
The operation had been performed but it would be some days 
before the result would be known. Then came a Braille letter 


J50 


A RIFT IN THE aOUD 


from Alice herself, written from the darkened chamber in which 
she must remain until Dr. Gratz was ready to pronounce upon the 
result of the operation. Minutes seemed days until the next letter 
came, which to his surprise was from John Fairchild, summoning 
him to join them in Vienna and bring Edward with him. 

' There was not a word about Alice, but simply some detailed 
information as to the steamer they were to take, accommodations 
for them having already been secured. 

Edward had noticed Herbert’s abstraction for the many weeks 
passed, but had ascribed it to the absence of Alice. It was now 
necessary for Herbert to make full explanation to Edward which 
he did. 

Edward readily acceeded to the wishes of John Fairchild for 
he had determined to visit the various institutions for the educa- 
tion of thfe blind, in Europe and he could now carry out his plans 
after their visit to Vienna where he* doubted not good news awaited 
them, jj 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


tst 


CHAPTER XXX - 

When Mrs. Fairchild learned from Dr. Gratz that the operation 
was successful and that in two or three weeks at the most Alice 
Brainard would for the first time look on the face of a friend, she 
appealed to her husband to send for Herbert and Edward, that 
they might be present and rejoice with them and Alice, when the 
veil should be lifted. 

The Doctor had not yet informed Alice of the assurance which 
he felt, of the success of the operation, for the joy and excitement 
which attended her perception of the first glimmerings of light in 
the darkened chamber when the bandages had been removed but 
for an instant, made him fearful 

He had cautioned her that she must be calm and await the 
result. Two weeks later, however, she knew the truth, and so did 
Herbert and Edward, who by this time had joined Mr. and Mrs. 
Fairchlid. 

Little by little had the light in the darkened chamber been in- 
creased, after the bandage had been removed and faintly, but 
with ever-growing distinctness did the objects in the beautifully 
furnished apartments assigned to Alice take shape. 

How strange it all seemed. At first the merest outline of the 
furniture appeared, then faint perception of the colors of the up- 
holstery and hangings, then the delicate lace work of the curtains; 
the large and beautiful pictures that adorned the walls ; the fresco 
and decoration of the ceiling; the form and features of Dr. Gratz; 
the beautiful face of little Marie were all objects that in turn de- 
lighted and entranced her. 

Oh! how she longed to write the joyful news to Herbert, but 
she had been persuaded by Mrs. Fairhcild to wait until all possible 
danger was over. 

On the day when all further restrictions were removed, Mrs. 
Fairchild and Flerbert entered the chamber. The former after 
introducing Herbert as a gentleman greatly interested in her case, 
excused herself for a few moments and left the lovers alone. 


ARIFTINTHEaOUD 


152 


The eagerness, tenderness and love which lit up Herbert's 
face made Alice look at him wonderingly. As he could no longer 
bear to be regarded by her as a mere stranger he extended his 
arms toward her exclaiming, “Alice dearest, don't you know me?" 

As that loved voice smote her ear and she realized that Herbert 
stood before her, the joy that welled up in her heart could find no 
other expression than the eloquence of love which lighted up her 
face as she awaited his approach. 

Here let the curtain fall, for we may not longer intrude even 
our gaze upon this picture of what love hath wrought. 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 153 


CHAPTER XXXI 

We are once more back in old Elmdale. The same people 
are hurrying to and fro. The old University • bell clangs out its 
well remembered, notes. The street tramways, carriages and 
newsboys occupy the same relative positions in the picture, as 
though our friends had been gone but a day. The meeting and 
greeting of old acquaintances who seemed surprised to learn that 
our friends had been long absent serves to make them appreciate 
how little, after all, any of us would be missed from the busy, 
strenuous life of a great city but there are those who will gladly 
welcome the wanderers. 

How manifestly joyous and sincere was the welcome which 
Herbert and Alice, now his wife, received when they called on 
Clarence Wellsbyand his mother, and what a happy reunion was 
it, when Edward, Herbert and Alice once more made complete 
the circle in the home of Dick Green, and with what a warmth of 
gratitude did Willie Nolan, now editor of the American, grasp the 
hand of Edward Crawford; and when the local bearing our party 
pulled into Middlebrook station what music was there in the voice 
of the old Judge as he once more greeted his boy, and what wealth 
of affection was there in the face of his sister Mary. Even Dan’s 
“welcome back, Mr. Edward,” and the joyous bark and excited 
demonstrations of Carlo, and finally, the welcoming whinney of 
old Jennie, had their charm, and all in all, where is there a greener 
or more gladsome oasis along life’s journey than is to be found in 
the home-coming and the greetings of old and dear friends? 

But after the rest and refreshment of our travelers is accom- 
plished, advancing days demand that they take their places once 
more in the ranks, prepared to answer the call of duty. 

For Edward, Herbert and iVlice, this call had no uncertain 
sound. There were other Dick Greens whose homes were desolate ; 
there were other Alice Brainards whose hearts were experiencing 
what Alice experienced when she was an inmate of the Stoneville 
Poorhouse, there were other Clarence Wellsbys into whose lives 


154 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


sunshine and happiness might come, through the rift in the cloud, 
and they must be up and doing, thankful to God for the knowl- 
edge with which they were equipped, and the stout hearts their 
experience had given them, with which to approach the task before 
them. 

Dear reader, will you not join them in their efforts to bring 
about a transformation in the lives of those whose existence is one 
unbroken night, and into whose souls the rust of idleness doth 
eat like the canker worm which seeks to wither the tree that 
beareth fruit ? 


The End. 


Helen Keller’s Plea 


Famous Blind Girl Speaks for Others Afflicted, 


Asks That Those Stricken Be Given an Opportunity 

to Earn their own Living; 

Reprinted from the ^‘Washington Star.” 

Helen Keller, undoubtedly the most remarkable modern example of the 
possibilities of eduction, who almost from birth has been blind and deaf 
yet who has passed with the highest honors nearly through Radcliffe Col- 
lege, has entered the lists to appeal for help for the blind family of which 
she is a member. She does not ask for them alms, but that they be taught 
self-supporting trades or professions, so that instead of being a burden 
on the community and a sorrow to themselves, they may be happy in the 
ability to earn their own livings and content that they are useful members 
of the social scheme. In a recent address on the subject Miss Keller said: 

The annual meeting of this association gives us another opportunity to 
discuss among ourselves and to present to the public the needs and interests 
of the adult blind, and I am glad to avail myself of the opportunity. 

This question of helping the blind to support themselves has been near 
to my heart for many years, since long before the formation of this society. 
All I have learned on the subject in the books I have read I have stored 
up in my mind against the day when I should be able to turn it to the use 
of my blind fellows. That day has come. 

It is true I am still an undergraduate and I have not had time to study 
the problems of the blind so deeply as I will some day. I have however, 
thought about these probems, and I know that the time is ripe, nay, has 
long been ripe, to provide for the adult blind the means of self-support. 

The blind are in three classes; first, blind children who need a com- 
mon school education; second, the aged and infirm blind ,who need to be 
tenderly cared for; third, the able-bodied blind, who ought to work. 

For the third class, healthy adult blind nothing adequate has been 
done. They do not want to go to school and read books. They do not 
want to be fed and clothed and housed by other people. They want to 
work and support themselves. The betterment of this class is the object 
of our association. We ask that the adult blind be given an opportunity 
to earn their own living. We do not approve any system to pauperize 
them. We are not asking for them a degrading pension or the abstract 
glories of a higher education. We want them apprenticed to trade, 
and we want some organized method of helping them to positions after 
they have learned these trades. 


(56 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


Consider the condition of the adult blind from the point of view of their 
fellow-citizens, and their own point of view. What sort of citizens are 
they now? They are a public or a private burden, a bad debt, an object of 
pitying- charity, an economic loss. What we ask for them in the name of 
Christian philanthropy, we ask equally on the g-round of economic g-ood 
sense. At present the adult blind form a larg-e class who are unremuner- 
ative and unprofitable. 

Such they are from the point of view of the thoug-htful citizen. What 
are they from their point of view? 

Not merely are they blind — that can be borne — but they live in idleness 
which is the cruelist, least bearable "misery that can be laid upon the 
human heart. No angush is keener than the sense of helplessness and 
selfcondemnation which overwhelms them when they find every avenue to 
activity and usefulness is closed to them. If they have been to school, 
their very education makes their sorrow keener, because they know all 
the more deeply what they have lost. They sit with folded hands as the 
weary days drag by. They remember the faces they used to see, and ob- 
jects of delight which made life good to live, and above all they dream of 
work that is more satisfying than all the learning, all the pleasures 
gained by man, work that unites the world in friendly association, cheers 
solitude and is the “balm of hurt minds.” They sit in darkness, think- 
ing with pain of the past and with dread of the future that promises no 
alleviation of their suffering. They think until they can think no more, 
and some of them become morbid. The monotony and lonliness of their 
lives is conceivable only to those who have similar deprivations. I have 
enjoyed the advantages of the blind who are taught. Yet I used to feel 
unhappy many times, because it seemed as if my limitation would pre- 
vent me from taking an active part in the world. Never did my heart ache 
more than when I thought I was not fit to be a useful member of society. 
Now I have abundant work, and I ask for no other blessedness. 

I have talked with blind students at the institutions for the blind, and I 
remember the distress and perplexity with which they considered how they 
should shift for themselves when they graduated. Many of them left 
school only to go back to poor, bare homes where they could find no means 
of self-support. For seven, ten, or fourteen years they live in the midst of 
refined surroundings; they enjoy good books good music, and the so- 
ciety of cultivated people. When their school days are over, they return 
to homes and conditions which they have outgrown. The institutition that 
has educated them forgets them, unless perchance they have sufficient 
ability to fight their life-battle single-handed and come out victorious. 
Institutions are proud of successful graduates. 

Let us not forget the failures. hat benefit do the graduates who fail 
in the struggle of adult life derive from an education which has not been 
of a kind to be turned to practical account? From an economic point of 
view has the money invested in that education been invested wisely? To 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


157 


teach Latin and Greek and hig-her mathematics to blind pupils, and 
not to teach them to earn their bread, is to build entirely of stucco without 
stone to the walls or rafters to the roof. I have received letters from edu- 
cated blind people, who repeat the cry “give us work, or we perish,” and 
their despair lies heavy on my heart. It is difficult to get satisfactory 
statistics about the blind after they graduate from institutions where they 
received a book education. It is still harder to get information about the 
blind who have lost their sight when they are too old to go to existing insti- 
utions. But it is evident that only a small portion of the blind* now sup- 
port themselves. Mr. William. B. Wait of the New York institution for 
the blind says less than eight per cent of the entire blind population of 
the United States, even those who have been to schools for the blind are self- 
supporting. 

Surely it is only an accidental division which has left one side of the 
education of the blind where Dr. Howe placed it, and has left the other 
side in the dark. In spirit, all aspects of the education of the blind are 
one, and we can be sure that Dr. Howe, had he lived, would have been 
the leader of the movement, in which we are doing our little best. Indeed 
I believe that long ago he would have rendered our labors unnecessary. Let 
us gratefully and lovingly render, in company with those who survive him, 
the honor that is his due. But since he is dead and cannot lead us, let us 
push forward, guided by what light we have. Wisdom did not die with 
Solomon. 

All knowledge about the needs and capabilities of the blind did not die 
with Dr. Howe. There is much to do which he did i.ot live to achieve, 
or it may even be, which he had not thought of. 

The important fact remains that nothing of consequence has been done 
for the adult blind since Dr. Howe’s day. It was he who established a work- 
shop for the blind in South Boston, in connection with the Perkins institu- 
tion, and that remains much as he left it. 

He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of 
progress. 

UP! UP! Something must be done. We have delayed too long. If you 
want to know how much too long we have delayed, listen to what the 
Bishop of Ripon said recently at the institution for the blind in Bradford, 
England. Speaking of a time thirty years ago, he said: “The work- 
house and the charity of the passer by were the only hope for the blind. 

All that has been changed. The blind have been taught useful occu- 
pations, ”he says, “and have been enabled in many cases to earn suffi- 
cient to maintain themselves in comfort, so that it has come to be a* reproach 
that a blind man or woman should beg in the streets. ’’This is the 
change in England in thirty years. 

What shall we do? 

There are two things to do which work together and become one. First, 
let the state establish by an adequate appropriation an agency for the em- 
ployment of the blind 


J58 


A RIFT IN THE GLOUD 


At the head of it should be a competent man, whose sole duty should 
be to study all occupations in which the blind can engage, exhibit the 
work of the blind, to advise and encourage them, and to bring employers 
and blind employees together without expense to either. This bureau 
should do for the blind what is done by the employment bureau of the Bri- 
tish and Foreign Blind association in England. To every blind person 
should be given opportunity to serve an industrial apprenticeship. 

Suppose at the age of thirty a man looses his sight.and that means that 
he must give up his work let us say as a salesman in a dry goods house. 

He goes to the nearest industrial bureau for the blind. The agent knows 
every occupation that it is possible for a blind man to engage in, and he 
tells this man that the best occupation near his home is running a machine 
of a certain kind. The man then goes to the industrial school for the blind 
and learns’to run the machine; in other words he serves an apprenticeship 
in a free state school, and incidentally learns the other things which a blind 
man must learn in order to adapt himself to the new condition of his life; 
that is, he gets the experience of being blind. At the end of the apprentice- 
ship the agent, knowing what he can do, goes to the manufacturer and asks 
that he give the man a chance. The agent stands behind the man during 
his period of probation, until the employer is convincd that his blind work- 
man understands his business. 


Dear Reader:- 

Do we presume too much when we assume that the read- 
ing of this story and Miss Keller’s appeal has awakened a de- 
sire to see the Columbia Polytechnic Institute succeed in its un- 
dertaking.^ If so, would you not feel like assisting us with 
your patronage to the extent of becoming a subscriber to a 
monthly magazine published by us, upon the success of which 
we are building many hopes for the future. 

Washington of all places offers the best facilities for gather- 
ing material of the most interesting character, for a house-hold 
periodical, and Talks, Tales and Public Opinion, which is the 
name of the magazine we publish has already won a place in 


A RIFT IN THE CLOUD 


1^9 

many homes. The magazine is only $1.00 a year and we appeal 
to you to give it a trial of at least three or six months. 

A sample copy will be sent free on application. 

F. E. Cleaveland. 

Secretary, Columbia Polytechnic Institute. 
1808 H Street, N. W. Washington, D, C. 


/ The Simplex Type Setting- Machine — successfully operated by the 
blind of the ColumbiB Polytechnic Institute, Washington, D. C. 


8®“ A TOTALLY BLIND GIRL SETS TYPE on this 
machine at the average speed of 1420 words per hour. 





PE on this 








